About Us
Our school’s hope and strength under this hard situation is the result of the rich history behind it.
Tackling Educational Challenges:
A Vision for Progress
Thirty years ago, the village of Zirak, located in the Jaghori district of Ghazni province, faced severe obstacles in accessing education. Male students had to endure a grueling three-hour journey on difficult terrain to reach the sole school in the area, situated in the village of Angori. For girls, attending school was virtually impossible due to cultural restrictions and a lack of transportation. These barriers deprived many children of their basic right to education.
A Transformative Effort:
Founding Salehi Zirak School
In 1990, Mr. Ezzatullah Salehi, a native of Zirak, took decisive action to address this dire situation. After returning from the United States and witnessing the community’s deep desire for education, he established the Salehi Zirak School in collaboration with local teachers. This initiative marked a pivotal moment in the educational history of the region.Initially, the school operated under challenging conditions, with classes held in temporary tents beneath the shade of trees. Despite these limitations, it began by offering education up to the third grade. As infrastructure developed, the school expanded to include grades up to the ninth, ultimately transforming into a comprehensive high school.
Thanks to its strategic location, Salehi Zirak School attracted students from neighboring villages such as Mohajerin, Bosayed, and Loman. The school adopted an inclusive model with separate shifts: morning classes for girls and afternoon classes for boys. Mr. Salehi fully funded the construction and teacher salaries for the 48-classroom facility.
Expanding Educational Opportunities
Over time, a Swedish charity began supporting the primary education of girls (grades one through six), while Mr. Salehi continued to fund the remaining sections of the school. This partnership helped break down numerous cultural and economic barriers, creating a welcoming environment for girls’ education. To date, thousands of students—both male and female—have graduated from Salehi Zirak School. Many have pursued higher education across various fields, contributing significantly to the social and economic development of the region.
Specialized Educational and Reinforcement Programs
Salehi Zirak School has implemented customized programs to enhance learning opportunities for its students:
For boys: Free courses in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and preparation for the university entrance exam (Konkur).
For girls: English language training and skill-building courses tailored to meet their specific needs.
A New Era: Setaragan Zirak School
In 2019, Azizullah Paeyndeh established the Setaragan Zirak School with financial support from the Zirak Charity Foundation, based in Colorado, USA. Drawing inspiration from the success of Salehi Zirak School, Setaragan Zirak School is committed to fostering innovation, inclusivity, and technology-driven education.
Despite significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and regional instability, the school has achieved noteworthy progress. Its core objectives include:
Eliminating gender-based disparities in education,
Identifying and nurturing talents.
Fostering leadership and civic responsibility among students.
In the winters of 2019, 2020, and 2021, the school organized free winter programs to support students:
- In 2019, courses were provided for 530 students from grades one to nine.
- In 2020, programs were extended to include 320 female students from grades seven to twelve, with a focus on Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and English. These courses addressed disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- In 2021, similar programs were repeated to support ongoing learning.
Regrettably, the school halted its programs in 2022 due to restrictions on girls’ education. Instead, the school offered courses in English, computer skills, painting, sewing, and literacy, ensuring students could continue to develop practical skills despite the limitations.
Empowering Women and Youth
Setaragan Zirak School places a strong emphasis on empowerment and practical skill development. Key initiatives include:
Literacy courses for mothers, enabling them to acquire essential reading and writing skills.
Sewing workshops for women, many of whom successfully launched small businesses with the school’s support, including the provision of tools such as sewing machines and essential supplies.
For students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the school offered remedial programs and free training in computer skills, painting, photography, calligraphy, and English language, equipping them with valuable skills for personal and professional growth.
Shaping a Brighter Future for Education
Since its establishment, Setaragan Zirak School has remained steadfast in its mission to provide equitable, high-quality education and empower students and their families. By removing barriers and promoting inclusivity, the school continues to implement comprehensive programs that benefit both boys and girls across the region.
Beyond academics, the school is dedicated to fostering positive social change, eliminating inequalities, and cultivating a lifelong culture of learning and civic responsibility. These ongoing efforts are paving the way for sustainable development and a brighter, more equitable future for generations to come.
Fun fact
Zirak Foundation
Zirak foundation was established in the year 1990 with the aim of providing students who did not have access to education with a good school and its facilities. The foundation is registered in the United States in 2019.
Our Vision
Our goal is to educate students using a systematic approach to prepare them as in-depth savers of the community’s problems. We teach students to teach society that gender, religion, color, and ethnic differences are the unchangeable beauties of our nation; what needs to be changed and arisen is the level of education and humanity in our people.
Our Mission
Through the efforts of our school and the energy of our students, we envision a society with better educational systems in all the schools, and through good education, we see a society without any type of discrimination.