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AFGHAN PROGRESS
in the
Third Year of the Plan
AFGHAN PROGRESS
SEPTEMBER, 1959


Road construction forms a very important part of the Afghan Five Year Development Plan. The photo shows a unit of the Ministry of Public Works Labour Corps with its stone-crushing equipment on one of the country's highways.


Foreword

AFGHANISTAN'S progress in the field of national economy is following almost the same lines as her development in other spheres. After the opening of relations with the outside world, Afghan goods and commodities began to be introduced little by little into the markets of neighbouring countries; while the products of these countries, as well as those of European countries, began to flow into Afghanistan. These exchanges continued until the beginning of World War I. The end of the war and the subsequent change in Afghanistan's world status also brought about a change in her trade relationships. From then on determined steps were taken to establish direct trade relations with various countries, thereby laying the foundations of economic independence. The outbreak of civil strife in 1929 was a serious setback but in 1932, during the reign of King Mohammed Nadir Shah, the Government resolved on a new policy which they carried out assiduously. Since then trade and agriculture in Afghanistan have developed enormously, and trade relations have been established not only with neighbouring countries but also with countries in Europe, the Far East and elsewhere. At the same time use has been made of the natural resources at the country's disposal. Dams and canals have been constructed for the furtherance of agricultural expansion, and foreign agricultural machines imported to assist progress in farming.

Industry too has been attentively fostered. Main highways were built, joining various towns and cities together, and making possible a quicker and easier flow of goods.

At first the new Ministry of National Economy concerned itself with most of these activities and with co-ordinating the Government's efforts therein. Later, with the expansion of the Government's economic policy, most of these functions became the responsibility of a different organisation which brought about the creation of the Ministries of Trade, Agriculture, Mines and Industries. The Afghan National Bank and the Central Bank (Da Afghanistan Bank) also came into being at that time. Various trading companies were established and paper money came into existence, while trade deals and currency affairs were organised on modern lines. The banks opened branch offices in the provinces and in some foreign countries to facilitate commercial exchanges. A further result was the establishment of some new industries and the expansion of existing ones. Textile factories, woollen factories, hydro-electric power stations, a sugar refinery, the Lapidary and Joinery Co. and a fruit conserving company were established.

The Second World War put a further obstacle in the way of the development of these and other progressive steps taken by the Government. As soon as it was over, however, the Government renewed its efforts and the capital of some companies and banks were partially directed into industry. As a result some big industrial organisations, such as the Gulbahar Textile Factory, the Sarobi Hydro-Electric Power Station, the Jabalussaraj Cement Factory and a Porcelain Factory came into being. It can now be anticipated that Afghanistan is well on her way to a bright future.

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The importation of equipment and
heavy machinery has increased the
Government's need for foreign currency
and made it necessary to secure help both
internally and from larger States. The
recently passed Foreign Capital Invest-
ment Law invited fresh foreign capital
into the country for use in various fields.

In the field of mines the salt and lapis
lazuli mines have been worked for many
years. Coal is now being mined in
Afghanistan. What has recently attracted
the attention of the Ministry of Mines,
however, is the search for oil, since
experimental oil wells drilled in the
northern parts of the country have proved
the existence of substantial quantities of
oil in Afghanistan. The Ministry has
recently undertaken a general survey of
the country's mines and the preparation
of a geological charting of Afghanistan.

Since its inception the Ministry of
Agriculture has undertaken to extend
forest land and encourage reafforestation;
to foster improved breeds of cattle and
domestic fowl; to prepare experimental
farms and to bring in and introduce
simple agricultural equipment and
artificial fertilisers. It has also perse-
veringly fought plant and animal diseases
in all parts of the country. Various
plants such as cotton, jute, flax, beets,
etc., too have been introduced into
different regions, thus furthering indus-
trial development. The Helmand Valley
Development Project is one of the
greatest agricultural projects to date, for
when it is completed around half a
million jiribs (250,000 acres) of land in
south-west Afghanistan, now barren, will
come under cultivation; whereupon this
part of the country will resume its historic
importance. A considerable number of
nomads have already settled in the
Helmand Valley.

The Ministry of Public Works, with a
view to encouraging agriculture, trade

and industry, has been responsible for the
construction and repair of roads, dams
and canals. Several modern river dams
have been built, a result of the expansion
of trade between Afghanistan and her
northern neighbour, the Soviet Union.

The same forward-moving trends can
be seen in other means of communication.
The number of wireless sets and tele-
phones imported annually is going up,
and to-day Afghanistan can contact
practically any country in the world
within a matter of minutes. The
inauguration of the Afghan Ariana Air-
lines was another important step forward
in the transport of cargoes both human
and material. Where east-west air traffic
is concerned moreover, the country
benefits from its unique position in the
heart of Asia. The economy involved in
the use of this short route has led the
Government to approve the building of
an international airport at Kandahar.
When it is finished, this airport will be
able to accept jet aircraft and serve a
great purpose in international communi-
cations. Through this and the Kabul
Airport—also modern and nearing com-
pletion—Afghanistan will be connected
by air with all parts of the world.

To-day there are a number of transport
companies serving the nation and some
new banks have been founded. The
Agricultural and Cottage Industries
Bank, the Commercial Bank and the
Industrial Cassette are examples of these.
The Government's Monopolies Depart-
ment is another organisation which plays
a significant part in the country's
economic undertakings. By monopolising
the import of sugar, petroleum and motor
vehicles it has carefully organised their
distribution and kept prices from soaring.
To prevent a serious shortage of wheat
and a rise in the cost of this most impor-
tant crop, the Government has built two
large, modern silos. These improvements

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were largely brought about on an independent economy basis; however, as in most fields a balance was not kept, and as the Government wanted to regulate the use of its resources, it was decided to adopt a policy of guided economy. As a result successful economic co-ordination can be seen at work in the fields of agriculture, industry, construction, communications and transport, as well as in cultural and social affairs. This in turn has led to the Government's first Five Year Development Plan, which when completed will further strengthen the nation's economy.

The total cost of the Plan amounts to 5,708,612,000 Afghanis. The average annual capital investment thus amounts to 1,141,722,400 Afghanis, which is eight per cent of the national income of 12½ billion Afghanis. Seventy-five per cent of the Development Plan's expenses are to be paid from the nation's own resources and the remaining 25 per cent will come from loans. The total amount of foreign currency needed for the Plan is 196 million dollars.

The importance and preference of the various sections of the national economy can be seen from the following presentation of expenditure accounts:

i. Agriculture and Irrigation: 2,294.3 million Afghanis.
ii. Transport and Communications: 1,625.1 million Afghanis.
iii. Industry: 727 million Afghanis.
iv. Public Services: 652.7 million Afghanis.
v. Mines: 242.7 million Afghanis.
vi. Miscellaneous: 165.3 million Afghanis.

The Government's total administrative and ordinary expenditure during the Five Year Plan will amount to 5,081.3 million

Afghanis, which will bring the total figure for the nation's ordinary and developmental expenditure to 10,789.4 million Afghanis.

The Plan, which is now entering its fourth year has undergone minor changes resulting from the country's needs and practical conclusions drawn during the first and second years.

The overall effect, however, has been the growth of a new outlook towards the future. There is an altogether new and unprecedented desire throughout the nation for a change for the better. There are already concrete examples of this change, and the nation is working hard to see that there shall be more. Now that they know it is possible to rebuild their country, the Afghans are anxious to do so. The measures undertaken by their Government have their wholehearted support, while the material advantages resulting from these measures further increase their morale and their zeal for hard work.

In the following pages we are presenting progress reports of activities in the various fields for the fiscal year which has just passed (1337-1338). This year coincides with the Third Year of the Afghan Five Year Plan (September, 1958-September, 1959). In a few cases the report only covers the first half of the Third Year of the Plan.

It is hoped that by glancing through the following pages the reader may gain an impression of Afghanistan's development in various fields over the last fiscal year. Further enquiries on any of the subjects discussed here may be addressed to:

The Information Bureau,
Royal Afghan Embassy,
1, Kensington Church Court,
London, W.8.
Tel. : WES 6185.

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A view of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, in winter, showing the Habibiya High School in centre and the historic citadel
of Bala Hissar on hill in right background


EDUCATION

EDUCATION in Afghanistan underwent certain changes during the past twelve months, most of which concerned the gradual improvement of teaching programmes and development of educational departments. The advancement of these two objectives depends upon the training of teachers, improvement of laboratories and workshops, procurement of teaching materials, publication of textbooks and construction or renovation of school buildings. The first part of this report deals with these subjects. The second part of the report is devoted to the activities of non-educational institutions, while the third part concerns the activities of Kabul University.

PART I
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

(A) Changes in Teaching Programmes:

1-Primary Education:

One of the objectives of elementary education during recent years has been to make the teaching programmes more functional and vital in character and to stimulate the innate skills of students aside from theoretical lessons.

(i) Since the majority of the people of Afghanistan are farmers by trade, therefore agricultural activities have been strengthened in primary schools and the pupils readily take part in them. Agriculture has been added as a separate subject in the programme and a handbook entitled "Practical Agriculture" has been compiled for the guidance of students and teachers.

(ii) Local handicrafts have also been added to the programme of primary education and the subject has been satisfactorily developed in most such schools.

A delegation of Teachers with H.M. The King (centre)

9


One of the sessions of the High Council of Education

(iii) Audio-visual aids to instruction have been increasingly utilised and educational films are being shown in all schools through a mobile cinema unit.

II—Secondary Education:
National languages, especially in the field of History of Literature, were being taught in different ways. This system has been revised and the programmes have been made on a unified and uniform pattern.

In girls' schools greater attention has been paid to such vital subjects as housekeeping, child care, etc. Certain retrenchments have been carried in the programmes for mathematics and science but teachers have been authorised to use their discretion in selecting those units of the programmes for these subjects which, in their opinion, may have a more important bearing on the future duties of schoolgirls.

III—Vocational Education:
The teaching programmes of the Colleges for Religion, the Teachers' Training College in Kabul and the Finance Department of the College of Commerce have been revised in certain ways. New methods of teaching have been adopted and the Colleges for Religion have been improved with the advice of religious scholars with a view to bringing them up to par in modern as well as religious sciences. With the addition of General Science, Physics and Chemistry, and the subjects of Mathematics, History and Geography (which had been introduced in previous years) the programme for these Colleges has been modernised. Similarly Arabic is now being taught according to modern and improved methods and by qualified teachers. It is hoped that future scholars of these Colleges will be well trained not only in religious matters but also in modern sciences.

The Teachers' Training Schools have, as in previous years, remained the focus of special attention. Certain reforms were carried out in these schools during the past twelve months. Their programmes were taken into consideration by local and foreign experts last year, with emphasis on the following points:—

The teacher of the future should possess deep interest in his profession from the very beginning and no doubts and suspicions should be allowed to creep into his mind. His knowledge of scientific subjects should be more of a practical nature. The programmes for Physics and Chemistry were accordingly given a more functional character and laboratories were required to be improved.

The Social Sciences were also taken into consideration and the programmes for History and Geography of Afghanistan underwent certain changes for the better.

Arts and agriculture took on a more tangible form and came to be part of the lessons in all forms. A small farm for experimentation by students and an agricultural laboratory were established.

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Vocational training became concentrated in three basic subjects—psychology, teaching methods and sociology.
New programmes and methods of teaching are being implemented in experimental schools under the guidance of foreign and local experts.
(B) Teachers :
Our educational needs are not yet met in so far as the supply of teachers is concerned. This is especially so in view of the increase in the number of elementary schools which need more and more teachers. The training of school teachers, on the other hand, needs strict attention. In order to increase the knowledge of teachers and also to introduce them to new methods of teaching, training seminars are run every year during the annual vacations under the auspices of the Institute of Education. Such a workshop was also run for the benefit of women teachers of girls' elementary schools for the first time last year.
Indeed the Government of Afghanistan places very great importance upon teachers and the teaching profession, as witnessed by the higher scale of pay permitted for them, and the arrangement that even though teachers work only half a day they receive a sort of special pay called "foodgrain allowance." Most important of all is the concession granted to teachers exempting them from military service. This concession is given provided he does not abandon his profession of teaching for a period of six years after he is due to be conscripted into the army.
To elevate his position even further, and to impress upon the people the important rôle played by the teacher in society, the Government of Afghanistan has, under ordinance No. 1292/5058, set aside one day in the year as "Teachers' Day." It is a general holiday for all schools and students. This occasion was celebrated on the 3rd of Aqrab, corresponding to the 26th of October last year. The occasion was celebrated with great éclat in all parts of the country with special meetings, celebrations and other functions held in schools and educational institutions to acquaint the people with the place and position of teachers in society. In order to show its appreciation in a more tangible form of the great service being rendered by the teaching com-
Schoolboys making full use of Kabul's Public Library
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munity in all countries, especially those
with rather undeveloped social systems
and economic structures, the Ministry of
Education awarded medals, in specially
held ceremonies, to a number of teachers
possessing long records of service and
deserving such recognition. Also, in order
to associate the top-ranking personality
in the country with this event, special
Royal Decrees drawing the attention of
teachers towards the sanctity of their
profession were issued to teachers in all
parts of the country. A number of
officials of the Ministry of Education and
representatives of teachers were also
invited by His Majesty the King on the
day of the festival. Although the number
of teachers increased during the past
year, yet it is not enough to meet the
full needs of our schools and, therefore,
we still need foreign teachers, particu-
larly for our secondary and vocational
schools. The following Table shows the
position:—
Previous In- Present
Particulars Number crease Number
Primary school
teachers 3,220 300 3,520
Secondary
school teachers 782 38 820
Vocational
school teachers 356 19 375
(C) Improvement of Laboratories and Workshops:
In elementary schools, workshops for
handicrafts were arranged in accordance
with locally practised arts and trades:
improvements were made, especially in
hand-loom workshops; sets of tools for
handicrafts were despatched to schools
and modern laboratory equipment, com-
prising apparatus for physics, chemistry
and biology, were installed in secondary
school laboratories. In so far as voca-
tional education is concerned workshops
for practical training were expanded and
new tools and machines were installed.
In the School of Mechanics at Kabul

Dr. Popal, Minister of Education, gives
Education award to Professor Betab

the practical side of training has been
developed and new machinery and tools
have been imported from Germany and
installed in its workshops. In the School
of Mechanics at Khost a new diesel-
generator was installed and lathes, drilling
machines and a smithy have been set
up for the benefit of students. The hum
of machinery heard in this remote district
augurs well for the technological success
of the country.
Workshops at the School of Mechanics
in Kandahar have been fully equipped
with machines and tools like those of
technical schools in advanced countries.
Equipment and instructors for this School
have been provided by U.N.E.S.C.O.
In the Afghan Institute of Technology
a quantity of equipment for mechanical
repairs, welding, a tin-smithy and the
administrative office has been received
from the United States I.C.A. Other
equipment which had been ordered from
the United States last year has also
arrived and been installed at the Institute.
In the School of Commerce the room
for typewriting classes has been re-
arranged and new machines provided.
(D) Publications:
The publications of the Ministry of
Education consist of school textbooks,

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handbooks and keys to textbooks, educational periodicals and magazines, and the Ministry also oversees the arrangement of libraries.

(I) School textbooks :
(a) Afghanistan is a bilingual country with Pushto and Persian as the languages. Both of these languages are taught in Afghan schools and, therefore, the teaching of languages demands special supervision. In order to accomplish this task, separate programmes of teaching these languages have been prepared and enforced in predominantly Pushto and Persian speaking areas of the country. Special textbooks have, similarly, to be compiled for this purpose. Advantage has been taken of foreign systems of language-teaching in the preparation and teaching of these languages. New Pushto and Persian books have also been compiled for courses of adult education.

(b) Publication of books abroad :
Because of other preoccupations and lack of facilities, the Ministry of Education thought it necessary to have a number of textbooks, stocks of which had been exhausted, reprinted in foreign countries.

For this purpose an agreement was concluded with Franklin Publications Inc., in Teheran, under which 125 textbooks of various titles were to be printed. During the past twelve months one million copies of textbooks under 25 different titles were printed and brought to Afghanistan. These books were mainly for use in elementary schools. Another batch of nearly one million copies comprising 40 titles are now being printed. With the completion of the whole series of these books, Afghanistan's needs for textbooks will be fulfilled for a period of three years. Local printing presses have also printed certain books relating to different sections of education and still another number is being printed.

(II) Aids to School Textbooks :
Books printed for this purpose last year relate to the subjects of science, literature, history, philosophy, agriculture, sports and scouting.

(III) Periodicals :
Periodicals are being published by different university faculties and schools in their respective fields of instruction. The Ministry publishes a monthly

A Woodwork Class at Khost Technical School

13


A new primary school at Panjsher, now nearly finished

magazine entitled " IRFAN " as its
official organ.

(IV) Libraries:
The Library of the Ministry of Educa-
tion has been reorganised on modern
lines and its catalogues and lists have been
brought up-to-date; a number of new
volumes on educational and specialised
subjects were acquired for school
libraries.

(E) Buildings and Teaching Materials :
Greater emphasis has been laid upon
repairs to existing and construction of
new buildings for elementary schools; ten
such new buildings have been constructed.
In secondary education the building of
the oldest secondary school in the country
is being reconstructed on modern lines
in a part of New Kabul. A new building
for girl students is also under construc-
tion. In the field of vocational education
the main success achieved during the

year consisted of the completion of the
buildings of the Afghan Institute of
Technology and other technical schools
situated in Kabul and the provinces.

A large quantity of teaching materials
was acquired in Japan and imported
into Afghanistan during the year. In
Afghanistan teaching materials are pro-
vided free of charge to school children.
Such equipment is generally purchased
from abroad. Materials purchased abroad
last year are expected to meet the needs
of schools for a period of three years.

(F) Expansion of Schools:
Schools have been expanded according
to the provisions of the Five-year
Development Plan; it is done in two
ways :-

(i) By establishing new schools; and
(ii) By increasing sections in schools.

Generally new elementary schools alone
have been established and few additions

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A view of Istalif, a summer resort near Kabul, in the autumn


16

H.M. The King looking over the valley of Greater Pamir


to other categories of schools have been made; 27 regular and 175 village elementary schools were established during the past year.
One of the main aims of elementary education is the combating of illiteracy. This campaign is carried on through courses of adult education. 20 new courses of adult education were launched last year. The High Council of Education also passed regulations promising cash compensation to all those persons who help in imparting literacy to illiterate adults. Primary education plays an important rôle in the implementation of the Community Development Project; this rôle is played through Community Schools. 144 of these schools were established in model villages last year and enthusiastically acclaimed by the people. The school building is also used as a place where villagers congregate to hear lectures on health and social and educational subjects.
In the field of secondary education a middle school was raised to the level of a secondary school and three new middle schools were also established. The class-sections are also steadily increasing in number. The establishment of new school departments and their development are based on the Five-year Development Plan and have been successfully accomplished. In vocational education, too, certain new departments were established but no new schools were opened.
Teachers' training schools in the provinces reached the second- or third-year stage and their hostels took on a more organised form.
The schools of mechanics at Kandahar and Khost have made noteworthy progress during the past two years inasmuch as the third-year course is being launched this summer.
Courses of bricklaying and carpentry launched in Farah some years ago have been brought together in the form of a
middle school because of their success. Their syllabuses have been organised on the pattern of the School of Arts in Kabul.
A Department of Weaving was added to the Arts School in Kabul. Until now its programme prepared students for life as an artisan. Early this year the second part of the programme, relating to the finer arts, came into being. A Department of Painting and Ceramics, on a comparatively higher level, was established. Ninth Class school graduates manifesting outstanding capacity in art were enrolled in this department.
The Correspondence School, which had been scrapped a few years before, was reopened under the title of "Correspondence and Clerical School," so that the needs of the Ministry of Finance and other accounting departments could be met.
(G) Extra-curricular Activities:
Since all educational affairs in Afghanistan are conducted and financed by the State and all expenses for school and extra-curricular activities are also shouldered by it, therefore everything relating to it, whether undertaken by non-governmental organisations, persons or individuals, must be done through the proper departments of the Ministry of Education. Some of these activities include sports, the Boy Scouts' Association, exhibitions of art and paintings and knitted and embroidered articles (by girls' schools), etc.
The Directorate-General of Sports of the Ministry of Education, in addition to assisting other departments of education in the preparation of sports programmes and procurement of sports equipment, also supervises the arrangement of sporting tournaments in every school and educational institution. The Directorate-General is directly concerned with raising the standard of sports in the country and, therefore, exerts a valuable influence upon

17


the physical improvement of Afghan youth. The Directorate-General has extended its activities during the past twelve months, as witnessed by the fact that sporting events and tournaments in central and provincial schools as well as inter-school contests were arranged on a larger scale and Afghan teams of sports-men were sent to such countries as Japan, Soviet Russia and the People's Republic of China.
The Boy Scouts' Association, which was formed nearly three years ago, has been making steady progress under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and the number of entrants, which at first was 400, has now greatly increased. The Boy Scouts are rendering valuable service in guiding other students and also assisting in maintaining order in schools.

The Ministry of Education has been devoting more attention to exhibitions of student arts and crafts in recent years. This is done in order to stimulate a taste for the finer arts and crafts among boy and girl students. The number of articles put on display at these exhibitions has been growing. Last year many specimens of drawings, paintings, handicrafts (articles made of paper, cardboard, iron, wood, etc.) and knitted and tailored articles (by girls) were put on display, 100 of which were judged to be the best and awarded prizes. Since last year this exhibition, too, is held during the week in which the "Teachers' Day" is celebrated. This is done with the object of drawing public attention to the rôle played by the teacher and the school in their life.

PART II
SCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES

Pushto Tolana (Pushto Academy):
Pushto is the lingua-franca of the majority of the people of Afghanistan, but little research had been carried out in it. This task was at first taken up by a number of small associations entrusted with the task of collecting literary and scientific works in this language. The Pushto Academy was subsequently established in 1932, which is still occupied in the work of carrying on research in Pushto, its philology and literature.
This Academy has provided a number of works on the vocabulary, grammar, history of literature and other literary works for readers. The greatest success of this Academy is the compilation of a Pushto Encyclopædia. The Academy took yet another step in enriching the Pushto language by undertaking the

translation into Pushto of foreign books on science and general knowledge. The publications of the Academy total 17 volumes and booklets including an Encyclopædia of European languages.

The Historical Society:
The Society has continued its scientific research as before. It published a series of articles and books on Afghan history last year. Booklets on Afghan history during later centuries were also published by it. These booklets were published in the vernacular, but similar booklets directed at introducing Afghanistan to foreign readers were also compiled and published during the year. These include a booklet in English on Sino-Afghan relations and another one, in French, for foreign tourists wishing to visit historical places in the country.

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The Aryana Encyclopædia Society :
The compilation of an Afghan Encyclopædia continued during the year. About 180 pages of the 4th Volume had been printed when a terrible fire in the printing press not only destroyed the articles laboriously compiled for the 4th Volume but also destroyed the 18-year-long labours of its workers. The Society has resumed the task of compiling the encyclopædia and it is hoped that the 4th Volume will be completed by October. Other publications of the Society, aside from the main task of compiling an encyclopædia, include the 3rd Volume of the Geographical Encyclopædia of Afghanistan, which, too, is expected to be completed by October.

Archæological Operations and Museology :
Activities in these fields include the continuation of archæological excavations and the reorganisation of Kabul Museum on modern lines of museology.

(1) Three different teams of archæolo-
gists are continuing excavations in the various parts of the country. Their operations during the past year yielded good results.

(a) Excavations at the site of a fire-temple in northern Afghanistan were continued by a joint Franco-Afghan team. The most spectacular discovery of the team during the year was the unearthing of 16 one- and six-line slabs of stone inscribed with Greek and Kushani writings. It is hoped that a deciphering of these inscriptions will throw light on the languages spoken in the country two thousand years ago.

(b) Excavations on sites of the post-Islamic period at the historic town of Ghazni undertaken by Afghan and Italian archæologists, entered the second phase. These excavations are being made at a place situated near the tomb of Sultan Ibrahim of Ghazni. The construction of the palace is very interesting and one of the most important discoveries made to date is the unearthing of a statue of Shiva, which was perhaps brought from India. Two boxes of copper-silver lacquer-work, reflecting the highest taste in this kind of art, have also been unearthed.

(c) Excavations at prehistoric sites near Mundigak, situated near Kandahar in south-western Afghanistan, begun by a Franco-Afghan team of archæologists, have now ended. Articles unearthed at this site include clay models of humans and animals, flint arrowheads and tools, pieces of iron, earthenware pots, etc.

(2) In Kabul Museum itself the year was one of the busiest. A U.N.E.S.C.O. team headed by M. Gabus, Director of Neuchatel Museum, was invited to help Afghan museologists in the task of reorganising the Museum. They accomplished the following tasks in collaboration with their Afghan colleagues :—

(i) A new plexiglass cabinet was installed for the preservation of museum pieces.

(ii) Two model rooms for relics of the Islamic era and Bagram were arranged on modern lines.

(iii) Illumination of the interior of the Museum was effected according to the needs of museology.

(iv) A new room for prehistoric relics was also arranged in which the finest specimens of 5,000-year-old pieces are displayed.

(v) A "Fundukistan Room" to house relics of the Buddhist period of 7 A.D. was also set up.

(vi) A room for Graeco-Buddhist relics was also arranged.

(viii) A new studio and darkroom for photography were also set up.

A new law for the preservation of ancient relics was also passed.

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The Ministry of Education's Part in the Rural Development Project:

The Community Development Project holds an important place among the economic and social activities of the country. The object of such projects is the acquainting of rural populations with modern systems of agriculture, health and hygiene and economics. It is, therefore, apparent that the rôle of the Ministry of Education in the new life of the villager is a specially important one because it is its duty to inform the people, through proper education and training, of the needs and requirements of modern life. This task is being accomplished by U.N.E.S.C.O. experts and local and foreign instructors. The Ministry of

Education deals with the following aspects of the project:-

(1) The modern teacher should be acquainted with rural life so that he may be able to help in improving the economic and social life of the people. In order to achieve this purpose, students of the final year of Primary Teachers' Training School spend the last two months at the project, where they follow a course of training in community development, hygiene, agriculture, art, and adult and village education. This is supplemented by practical training on the spot.

(2) The Ministry follows special systems of education and training in village schools in accordance with the development of the project.

PART III
ACTIVITIES OF KABUL UNIVERSITY

New Establishments:

(1) Faculty of Pharmacists (with 4-year term of study).

(2) Faculty of Science for Women (4-year term of study).

(3) Seminar on philology with special emphasis on Pushto. This seminar was inaugurated at the Faculty of Letters for a period of eight weeks under the supervision of two experienced foreign professors. The participants comprised Pushto teachers of the Faculty of Letters and secondary schools.

(4) Post-graduate seminar in education (at the Institute of Education). The participants are teachers possessing university degrees and after spending a time in learning about teaching methods and success in examinations they are given the degree of M.A.

(5) Seminar on scientific research. In this seminar scholars and experts of the Ministry of Education and Kabul University are considering the bases for research in education. It is convened once a week.

(6) A series of lectures delivered by qualified scholars and authorities on various subjects employed in the various Ministries and Departments.

(7) Invitations to certain famous foreign professors to deliver lectures for a brief period.

Cultural Relations:

(1) Admission into the International Atomic Organisation. A Russian pro-

20


The 8,000 ft. Valley of Bamyan, in the heart of the Hindukush mountains. In the centre of the cliff is one of the two gigantic statues of Buddha


The Bamyan Hotel, from which the splendid view on page 21 was taken

22


Dr. Popal appointing a new Scoutmaster

fessor, Mr. G. Kwater, of Leningrad University, was provided by U.N.E.S.C.O. for the Faculty of Science last year. He was instrumental in reorganising the laboratories of the Faculty and then commenced the teaching of nuclear physics. The Afghan Atomic Commission was also established with his advice. This Commission was recognised by the International Atomic Organisation this spring. Two graduates of the Faculty of Science were sent to the Soviet Union for training in nuclear physics last year. They are carrying on their studies at Moscow University. Similarly, two others were sent on scholarships to the United States to observe activities in this field. These persons returned home a few months ago.

(2) A team of scientists from the University of Illinois has come to Kabul to study and survey the educational position in Kabul University. The team consists of the Professors of Economics, Science and Technology. This team will remain in Kabul for a period of three months, at the end of which they will submit a report of their findings to the Kabul University authorities with the necessary recommendations for reforms.

(3) A visit by the Rector of Kabul University to the United States of America for the purpose of studying educational institutions there. A number of other members of Kabul University also did the same.

(4) A visit by university professors and scholars to Egypt.

(5) Awards of scholarships to foreign students (Russian, American and Chinese).

(6) A Chinese Cultural Delegation, consisting of six outstanding educationalists, poets and artists, visited Afghanistan some time ago. During their stay they saw educational institutions and historical places and met with prominent personalities in Afghanistan.

Codes and Regulations :
(1) Finalisation of the new Regulations for the Teaching Staff of Kabul University concerning their duties, promotion and emoluments.

(2) Obligations of Afghan scholars and experts. This code fixes the obligations of those Afghan scholars and experts who have received their educational training partly or wholly, inside or outside Afghanistan, at State expense, or who have taken advantage of scholarships and fellowships awarded to Afghanistan by friendly countries and international organisations.

Number of University Students :
(i) Number of students in 1958, 1,295.
(ii) Number of students in 1959, 1,505.
(Increase during the year: 210—
or 16.21%.)
(iii) Number of students sent abroad, 48.
(iv) Return home of students after graduation abroad, 22.

23


Buildings:
Basic steps for a 50-year plan of construction for Kabul University were taken during the year. After surveys regarding the number of buildings, their requirements and educational functions, especially the detailed plans for the construction of the first six buildings to be constructed, the contract has been given with the assistance of the United States International Co-operation Administration to the Pacific Architects Inc. These plans are expected to be completed soon.

PART IV
FOREIGN RELATIONS
The Ministry of Education maintains close and very cordial ties with international organisations and friendly countries. The United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organisation and friendly countries have consistently helped educational institutions in Afghanistan. This assistance has proved of great value in furthering the interests of education in our schools.

Exchange of Cultural Missions:
By promoting friendly co-operation and creating better understanding it has rendered a valuable service to the cause of international understanding. The United Nations Day, the World Health Day and the Red Crescent Day are celebrated according to elaborately prepared programmes in all schools in Afghanistan.

We wish to say something here regarding the trend these relations took during the past year:—

1—Our relations with U.N.E.S.C.O.:
(a) The U.N.E.S.C.O. General Conference was held in Paris in November,

Girls from the Rabia Balkhi primary school

1958, in which an Afghan delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Education participated.

(b) Under the Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance and the Participation Programme, U.N.E.S.C.O. has undertaken to:—

(i) Continue its assistance to the School of Mechanics at Kandahar (in the form of three experts).

(ii) Continue its assistance to the Community Development Project (in the form of three experts).

(iii) Provide one Professor of Physics for Kabul University.

(iv) Provide one expert on Public Administration.

24


(v) Provide one expert for the Printing Press of the Ministry of Education.
(vi) Assistance for Kabul Museum in the form of three experts, namely, one chief of team, one expert on the restoration of ivory pieces, and one expert for the preparation of a Museum Catalogue. Another expert will also be procured for arranging the interior of the Museum and display of Museum pieces.

An additional number of requests have been made by the National Commission earlier this year. It is hoped that these will receive favourable attention by U.N.E.S.C.O. during the years 1959-1960. The National Commission has been in constant contact with the U.N.E.S.C.O. Secretariat and has provided all possible information asked for by the different departments of U.N.E.S.C.O.

U.N.E.S.C.O. Gift Coupons:
U.N.E.S.C.O. has been issuing, since some time in the past, Gift Coupons, against which the recipient institutions in various countries can purchase equipment of an educational and cultural character. These coupons are in the form of Cash Vouchers convertible into dollars on demand anywhere in the world. Such coupons have been received from different institutions, schools and persons either by the Ministry of Education or allied institutions. The National Commission has been acting as a clearing agency for these after thanking the donors and acknowledging receipt of the Gift Coupons. The National Commission itself has utilised some of this money for setting up a model office. The total amount of money received by the National Commission in the form of U.N.E.S.C.O. Gift Coupons during the past and current years was $2,100. Six hundred and fifty dollars of this amount was presented to the Faculty of Science, Kabul University.

2—The World Health Organisation:
This world organisation naturally has closer relations with the Ministry of Public Health than with the Ministry of Education, but even so it has been co-operating with the Ministry of Education in matters affecting the University of Kabul. For example, the term of service of the Professor of Pediatrics loaned to Kabul University ended at the end of last year, but the services of the Professor of Social and Preventive Medicine are being continued. W.H.O. has also continued its assistance in the field of training nurses.

3—Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations: United States International Co-operation Administration:
The U.S. I.C.A. continued its assistance to the following projects:—
(i) The School of Agriculture.
(ii) The Afghan Institute of Technology.
(iii) The Institute of Education and the Teaching of the English language.
(iv) The Faculty of Engineering and Agriculture.
(v) University Administration.

Details of this assistance can be found in the reports of the Department of Vocational Education and Kabul University. An agreement concerning the construction of the buildings of Kabul University has also been concluded between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Works on the one side and the U.S. I.C.A. on the other. Under the terms of the agreement for University Administration, a five- or six-man team from one of the front-ranking American universities is to visit Afghanistan during the current year with the object of studying and recommending measures to be taken for the future development of the University of Kabul.

25


Chief of Primary Education attended the
last Conference as Leader and Member
of the Afghan Delegation respectively.
Important decisions were taken at this
Conference concerning the preparation
and publication of Primary School pro-
grammes and educational facilities in
agricultural areas. Representatives of
every Member State attending this Con-
ference are required to submit a report
of the educational progress in their
countries during the past two years.

Asia Foundation :

The Asia Foundation is a non govern-
mental organisation with its headquarters
at San Francisco, in the United States
of America. It has thirteen branches in
different Asian countries. The Kabul
Branch of the Foundation was opened
in 1954 and since then it has assisted
the Ministry of Education and a number
of other Ministries. The Foundation
provided two experts on Physical Educa-
tion to the Ministry of Education last
year; a microfilm-reader was also
provided for the Library of the Faculties
of Science, and Engineering and Agri-
culture. Two thousand books were also
presented by the Foundation to the
University of Kabul.

5—Conferences and Seminars:

In 1958 the Ministry of Education sent
delegates to the following conferences,
seminars and international gatherings:—

(i) The International Conference on
Education at Geneva.

(ii) Seminar on Audio-Visual Aids to
Instruction at New Delhi.

(iii) Regional Seminar on the Develop-
ment and Improvement of
Education at New Delhi.

(iv) Study of the Preparation of Text-
books and Teaching Materials;
Japan, Philippines, Thailand,
India and Pakistan.

Kindergarten children rehearsing for an
exhibition

4—International Bureau of Educa-
tion :

The Ministry of Education has been in
contact with this organisation during the
past few years. The organisation en-
deavours to disseminate information
concerning education in different countries
by carrying out a comparative study of
the systems of education employed in
various parts of the world. The I.B.E.
convenes an international conference
every year at which one or two
educational subjects of importance are
discussed and decisions are made. The
Deputy Minister of Education and the

26


The Remains of the old Palace at Herat, focus of many historic incidents


The Maiwand Monument at Kandahar


6—Scholarships and Fellowships :
Scholarships awarded by the United Nations and friendly countries have greatly helped Afghanistan in training technical and administrative personnel. Here are details of such awards :—

TABLE SHOWING SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS AWARDED BY VARIOUS COUNTRIES AND ORGANISATIONS DURING THE YEAR 1958

Award-making Agencies
Recipient Ministry or Department
Local
I.C.A.
U.N.
Fed. Rep. of Germany
France
Eisenhower Fellowship
Japan
Iraq
W.H.O.
U.K.
*I.M.F.

Min. of Planning ... 1 — — — — — — — — — —
Min. of Interior ... — 2 1 1 — — — — — — —
Min. of Education ... — 8 — — 3 1 — — — — —
Min. of Mines and Industries ... 3 — — 3 — 1 1 3 — — —
Min. of Public Health ... — — — — — — — — 3 — —
Min. of Agriculture ... — 2 2 2 — — — — — 1 —
Min. of Public Works ... — 1 — — — — — — — — —
Kabul University ... 1 23 — 2 1 — — — — — 1
Banking Organisations ... — 2 — — — — — — — — —
Aryana Afghan Airlines ... — 12 — — — — — — — — —
Helmand Valley Authority ... 3 — — — — — — — — — —
Afghan Air Authority ... 2† — — — — — — — — — —
TOTAL : 3 62 3 8 4 2 1 3 3 1 1

NOTES :—*The letters "I.M.F." denote "International Monetary Fund."
†Local and India.

29


Technical Assistance for Technical Schools :
Foreign technical assistance is received by schools from different sources. We give below the names of such sources and the nature and amount of assistance received during the past one year :—
1—U.N.E.S.C.O. :
This world organisation has given valuable assistance to the School of Mechanics at Kandahar. The greater part of the foreign instructors, machines and tools for this school came from this organisation. The director and two instructors were engaged at U.N.E.S.C.O. expense in Germany. These persons are engaged in directing the instructional affairs of the school with the assistance of their Afghan counterparts. The work-shops and training imparted in this school can be favourably compared to that of progressive countries.
2—The United States International Co-operation Administration :
Assistance given by this organisation is

received through two teams sent by American universities :—
(a) The Wyoming Team :
This team co-operates with the Depart-ment of Vocational Education in matters relating to technological subjects and its activities are limited to technical and agricultural projects. This assistance takes the form of technical personnel, teaching materials, tools and implements for workshops and farms. Last year six experts were employed at the Afghan Institute of Technology and two at the School of Agriculture as teachers and advisers. They also assist in the task of training Afghan personnel.
(b) The Columbia Team :
Experts in this team help Afghan teachers at teachers' training schools; they also teach English in schools, but the greater part of their efforts is devoted to university education.
3—Technical Assistance from the Federal Republic of Germany :
An agreement concerning technical

A Chemistry Class at the Faculty of Medicine, Kabul University

30


Little girls and boys of the Kabul kindergarten perform a native dance in traditional Afghan national dress

assistance was concluded between
Afghanistan and the Federal Republic of
Germany last year. Under the terms of
this agreement the Government of the
Federal Republic will devote greater
attention to the development of our
technical schools. Early in April this
year the Government of the Federal
Republic sent seven teachers for technical
schools in Afghanistan as follows:—

School of Mechanics in Kabul
4 persons.
Arts School in Kabul ... 2 persons
School of Mechanics in
Kandahar ... 1 person

In addition to these teachers, the
Federal Government has promised a large
quantity of machinery and equipment for

these schools. This assistance by the
Government of the Federal Republic
forms a valuable contribution towards the
completion of technical schools in
Afghanistan.

4—Technical Assistance from
France:

A similar agreement on technical
assistance was also concluded between
Afghanistan and France during the same
year. Under this agreement the Govern-
ment of France has, together with other
assistance to various Afghan organisa-
tions, promised to co-operate with the
Department of Vocational Education.
This promise is expected to take practical
shape in due course.

31


THE INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION

THE achievements of the Institute of Education in Kabul during the past year constitute the following:

(i) Winter Courses.
a. For men teachers: 250 teachers from the provinces participated in the course for grades 10-14.
b. For women teachers: in this course 100 teachers took part.

grade courses the subjects dealt with also included child growth.

(ii) Educational Gatherings for head-teachers, inspectors and teachers from Kataghan, Mazar-i-Sharif, Kandahar, Farah, Girishk and the Helmand Valley. About 200 people altogether gathered for a conference where educational specialists were on hand for advice and consultation.

Students of the Faculty of Science, Kabul University, with Dr. A. G. Kaker (arrow at feet), Dean of the Faculty

The subjects dealt with in the course for men were an outline of the history of education; Persian for teachers; Pashtu for teachers; Mathematics for teachers; teaching apparatus; art, handwork, the history of Afghan culture; agriculture, science, human development, religion; administration; the studies of Persian literature and Pashtu history and literature; the philosophy of education; psychology; English; the United Nations; school and society.

In the women's 10th, 11th and 12th

(iii) A delegation from the Institute was sent to the teachers' training colleges in Kandahar and Nangarhar to co-operate with the educational teams there.

(iv) The curriculum of the teachers' training colleges was revised and modified by a team of educational specialists from the Institute as a result of talks held between the Institute and the Ministry of Education's vocational education section.

(v) The Institute also helped to arrange

62


The Blue Mosque at Mazar-i-Sharif, exquisitely decorated with coloured tiles, and patterned and inscribed


Another view of the Mosque at Mazar-i-Sharif


the curriculum for third and fourth year
students of the faculties of science and
literature intending to take up teaching.
Among the specialised subjects dealt with
are general psychology; sociology, the
psychology of youth and educational
psychology; modern Afghanistan and its
educational problems; the curriculum in
secondary schools; administration and
guidance; principles of teaching; labora-
tory work connected with teaching.

(vi) Activities in leisure time.
200 women teachers took part in a
course held out of school hours wherein
instruction was given in English, drama
for children, and methods of teaching
mathematics.

(vii) Graduate Courses.
Last year the Ministry of Education
advised the University of Kabul to initiate
a programme of postgraduate studies for
teachers who were graduates of the
faculties of science and literature. The
Institute devised the programme and it
was approved by the University. Now
graduates of the aforementioned faculties
after a further year's training in educa-
tion are awarded an M.A. or M.Sc.
degree. For teachers who completed their
B.A. course prior to the establishment of
the postgraduate course, the period of
study has been extended to two years
for the M.A. degree. To make it possible
for teachers to work for this advanced
degree night classes were arranged, be-
ginning in April, 1959. The subjects
taught in the first year are: (i) secondary
education and a survey of modern
Afghanistan, (ii) the system of education,
including general and individual teaching
methods and observation based on ex-
perience, (iii) principles of education,
including sociology, psychology and their
relation to education, (iv) science in the
modern world and (v) English language.
Second year subjects include (i) progres-
sive methods of teaching science, social

science, language and mathematics, (ii)
the mechanics of teaching, including tests,
guidance and research into individual
differences, (iii) the continuation of the
principles of education including books,
research and culture, (iv) Islamic culture
and education, (v) the modern world and
its demands for education and (vi) the
continuation of English language.

(viii) Teaching Apparatus.
a. The English language section of the
Institute is responsible for compiling
books teaching English to Afghans. So
far the first three books of a series of six
entitled "English for Afghans" have
been published.

b. The Publishing Section takes care of
the printing and distribution of vocational
books. 75 books in 8,000 volumes have
been published in English, Pashtu and
Persian, of which those in Pashtu and
Persian written for children are outstand-
ing. The Institute also puts out a
monthly magazine in which specialists
write articles on educational subjects. The
object of these magazines which are dis-
tributed free to all the schools in the
country, is to further the knowledge of
teachers in specialised fields.

c. The Equipment Section of the
Institute has undertaken the preparation
of those items, which may be collectively
described as educational aids, such as
globes, models, chart-making equipment,
white and coloured chalk, and children's
free activity apparatus in wood and
leather. The Section is also making slide
projectors that use the rays of the sun,
and this is expected to be of particular
importance in areas where there is no
electricity.

d. The Library. At this moment the
Institute has a library of more than 6,000
books in English, Pashtu, Persian and
Arabic. Most of these books are con-
nected with education.

35


THE KABUL
MUSEUM

As the Kabul Museum, representing
the Afghan nation's culture and
civilisation for many thousands of years,
was in need of drastic reorganisation,
work started on it in the beginning of the
Third Year of the Plan. This included
the installation of Plexiglass display
cabinets and air conditioning units in the
various galleries. Two galleries, one of
the ancient relics of Bagram and the other
of Islamic art, were reorganised in such a
way as to make them most attractive and
prominent. A new gallery, that of pre-
historic Afghanistan, was opened: it was
given the name of the Mundigak Gallery
and in it were arranged discoveries be-
longing to some five thousand years.
The findings of Fundukistan were moved
to a better room and the sculpture works
of Afghanistan's very last Buddhist period
were put on display.

The Shuturak Room
In this room examples of Graeco-
Buddhist sculpture have been displayed,
as well as slabs of marble. Stone tablets
found in various parts of the country, and
until recently placed in corridors in the
Museum, have been removed to this room
and mounted in the walls with the
appropriate description beneath each one.
In the newly completed depot with its
specially designed cabinets ancient relics
from Bagram, ivory sculptures, glassware
belonging to the Alexandrian period,
metalware, plasterwork and earthenware
have been stored.

The photographic Section
A new photographic section has been
opened at the museum and contains
cameras and enlargers for the preparation
of necessary photographs for the museum
as well as for outside organisations.

Photographic work has also been com-
pleted on the relics of Nuristan, the
sculptures of Gandahara and the dis-
coveries of Fundukistan. A catalogue for
the Museum is in the process of prepara-
tion; it will in time be published and
distributed to persons and organisations
who are interested in the Museum.

Ancient Nuristani woodcarving now at Kabul
Museum

36


The Restoration Section
This department has been busy restoring various items at the museum. From time to time foreign specialists have assisted in this work. The work completed in the first half of the Third Year of the Plan, in the absence of foreign specialists, is as follows:
(i) restoring 101 pieces of sculpture.
(ii) .. 310 pieces of earthenware.
(iii) .. 102 pieces of plaster sculpture.
(iv) .. 51 pieces of copper and brassware.
(v) .. 622 coins.
(vi) .. 25 manuscripts.
(vii) .. 10 stone tablets.

Manuscripts
There are 640 volumes of manuscript and 208 rare printed books in this department. Arrangements are being made to place the manuscripts in two separate rooms and the printed books in another.
A statute has been devised which, when put into effect, will assist in preserving the ancient relics both movable and immovable, throughout the country.

The Decorations Department
A specialist from Switzerland has been employed to help the Museum authorities in decorating the various rooms and galleries. The Fundukistan Room has now been rearranged. The remaining rooms and galleries are expected to be redecorated in the near future.

EXCAVATIONS
(i) Surkh Kotal
A French archaeological team has been digging at Surkh Kotal (15 kilometres north-west of Pul-i-Khumri) with the co-operation of the Museum authorities ever since 1952. It was in the first year
of this work that the central temple of Surkh Kotal was discovered. The following year the fire-worshipping centre was unearthed. In 1957 a most important 25-line tablet was discovered. Work continued during the following year on 8 sites in Surkh Kotal, from all of which interesting and important discoveries were made and relics produced. The works of art found in Surkh Kotal are supposed to belong to the Graeco-Bactrian period. Sculptures found show that in the same area there was also a Buddhist temple. Many coins, together with various pieces of brass and earthenware, were found to belong to the Koshani period. Among the other discoveries in this area are 16 tablets, 1 line each and 6 lines each, in the Greek and ancient Takhari languages. It is hoped that by deciphering the inscriptions, further light will be thrown on the language of the Afghan people two thousand years ago.

(ii) Mundigak
A French archaeological team in Afghanistan discovered the prehistoric hill at Mundigak in the vicinity of Kandahar in 1930. Since then until the autumn of 1958 excavation work continued on this site. The discoveries made here during this time were divided between the French team and the Kabul Museum at the end of the period of excavation, and the prehistoric room was thereupon opened at the museum. Among the items found at Mundigak are various seals, clay sculptures of humans and animals, stone sculptures, flint arrow heads, stone utensils and implements, bronzeware, copperware, bone implements, stone and clay bobbins, shells, pieces of gold, huge pitchers and pottery.
During the year news has been received by the Museum authorities of discoveries made in various parts of Afghanistan, of which some have already been examined, with promising results, and others are still in the process of being studied.

87


Remains of the 11th Century Minaret of Ghazni

(ii) Ghazni

An Italian archaeological team, to-
gether with members of the Kabul
Museum, embarked on a study of Ghazni
in the summer and autumn of 1958. Their
excavations were restricted to the palace
next to the mausoleum of Sultan Ibrahim.
Many pieces of embellished marble, stone
and baked brick found at this site testify
to the splendour of the Ghaznawi era.
Also found there was a stone statue of

Shiva, apparently brought to Ghazni from
India around 1,000 A.D. A box with
decorative work in copper and silver
found in this palace was the first of its
kind to be found in the whole of Afghani-
stan. Excavation work in Ghazni is by
no means over: indeed it has only just
begun, and it is expected that in years to
come discoveries will be made in ancient
Ghazni, which will throw a great deal of
light on a very important period in
Afghan civilisation.

38


A group of young children with their nurses at the Village Development Centre at Shewaki.
The banner at the back says “The Village Development Project is recognised as the best means
of raising the people’s standard of living”

VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Comprehensive schemes have been started to modernise
farming and widen the interests of the villagers.

THE Provincial Council of the Village
Development Authority in the third
year of the Plan inaugurated a new
Project in Parwan. It also considered
establishing a similar council in Logar.
Various Committees were established
during the year in the several Village
Development Projects, and they discussed
ways and means of creating mutual
understanding and an atmosphere of co
operation and harmony among their
various members. The programmes
initiated during the year were all under
taken after careful research by specialists
and technical officers of the Village
Development Authority, and with the full
co-operation of the communities.

The United Nations Technical Assist
ance Board continued to help the various
sections of the Project as in the past. A
six months' practical training course was
established which accepts students from
the twelfth grade of the Teachers’ Train
ing Schools. Its aim is to produce
graduates who are well aware of the
theoretical and practical objects of
Village Development in Afghanistan and
who will help the Authority in its plans
for further expanding the Project.
Emphasis is placed on training in agri
culture, health and handicrafts, subjects
which will be supervised in primary
schools by graduates of the course and

89


[BLANK PAGE]


The Chief of U.N.E.S.C.O. in Kabul talking to village schoolchildren about writing and drawing

(iii) Girls' Schools. In these schools there is now a combined total of 17 classes and an attendance of 292 students.
(iv) Village Schools: These schools have a total of 298 students.
(v) Boys' Primary Schools: The school at Shewaki has a total of 6 classes, 13 sections, 403 students. That at Charasiab has 6 classes, 9 sections and 378 students. The school at Bagrami has 6 classes, 11 sections and 390 students, while that at Tangisaidan has 6 classes, 7 sections and 209 students.
In both the boys' and girls' schools, as well as at the Social Centre, along with the regular subjects dealt with, many educational films have been shown, and also films on the various aspects of farm life.

B. Practical Training Programme
Twenty students in three different groups have been specially trained to give practical assistance and advice to farmers in agriculture, social conditions, economic development and health. The graduates of this course have been constantly lending a helping hand to the residents of the various communities in undertakings such as digging hygienic wells, seeing that the streets are kept clean, and other development works.

II Agriculture.
Activities in this field include such items as veterinary services, the treatment and inoculation of contagious diseases, the sowing of experimental wheat, the introduction of artificial fertilisers, the cleaning of seeds and their treatment with special chemicals, as well as the keeping of honey bees.
A total number of 19,995 animals have been given protection against, or treated for, diseases.
Several farmers have been encouraged to cultivate a new American-type wheat in their land and instruction and advice have been given them in the proper

Practical training in preparing a field

41


guidance of a supervisor and four teachers. The subjects taught include Persian, child training, home economics, cooking and embroidery.

LOGAR PROJECT

I Education.

Two village schools have been opened, one in Ab Bazak and the other at Shahi, in Kulangar.

A Shewaki farmer busy harvesting his field with his new scythe

methods of cultivation. The farmers have also been shown various films and given information on such matters as pruning and protecting young trees and saplings from the cold, irrigation, and protection against plant disease.

Consideration has been given to the keeping of honey bees, and Japanese mulberry trees have been introduced.

III Health.

Health activities in the Project have continued as before. Doctors, nurses and other health attendants have kept in close touch and co-operated with the people. Treatment has been given in all cases, including dental complaints. Some 74,369 people benefited from such treatment in the first six months of the third year of the Plan. More than 200,000 were vaccinated against smallpox and 9,342 new-born children were registered in the Development Project Area.

IV Women's Welfare Centre.

Thirty-one students have been given training in the Welfare Centre under the

II Agriculture.

Several farmers have been encouraged to sow a total of 2,051 seres (1 sere=16 lbs.) of a new kind of wheat on their lands. In 11 gardens a programme of pruning has been put into action, and lectures have been given to farmers on pruning and orchard tending. Some 16,871 animals have been treated for, or protected against, disease.

Several thousand trees (apples, mulberries, apricots and others) have been pruned while the orchard owners were on hand to see and appreciate the methods. Several thousand new saplings and trees have been planted.

III Health.

In the comparatively short time since its establishment the Development Project of Logar has received wide acclaim in the community and especially for its health section. Most common among the diseases treated have been those of the eye, contagious diseases being very small in number. Several thousand children have been inoculated against smallpox, while protection against typhoid has been given to the various villages in the unit by the spraying of D.D.T. In the Women's Welfare Section training has been given in embroidery and cookery, and six girls have also been accepted to train as nurses.

42


Youths from Kohistan participating in the Afghan Independence celebrations


The lovely valley of Panjsher in the Province of Kabul
44


Afghan farmers have learned how to use the newly introduced Austrian scythes

grasses have also been taken under experiment.
At Baghlan an area of 30 acres has been set aside where various trees, seeds and varieties of grass are cultivated. The Baghlan experimental farm has sold 20,026 grafted saplings to farmers and has given away 5,210 other young trees to schools, civic authorities, etc. The Kunduz farm has sold 3,687 trees, fruit-bearing and otherwise and has given away 4,954 trees. Nearly 8,000 trees have been grafted on the Farm.
For the improvement of cotton, a quantity of Akala 44 and other types of seeds have been sown for seed. Seven Egyptian wheats have also been cultivated for increased seed. The construction of the Kunduz Agricultural Club will also be completed in the very near future.
In Pactya considerable quantities of apricot, peach, olive, orange and pine

have been sown and 22,000 graftings of roses, poplars, honeysuckles and others have been planted.
In Maimana 580 grafted peach, pear, apple and quince trees have been planted, having been transported from Kunduz. Another 12 seres of almonds, pistachio and clover seeds have been sown. 2,489 pine, acacia, judas and almond trees have also been planted.
In Farah 142,300 pine, poplar, rose and other trees have been planted during the year, and some 10 seres of almond, pine, oak and mulberry seeds have been sown.
In Parwan 6½ acres of land were set aside for a small experimental farm, in which 1,616 trees of judas and one sere pine seeds were planted.
A considerable number of trees have also been planted in the jungles of Chardih Ghorband, Ab-i-Shekh Ali, Bamyan, Andak and Chilmish.

46


In Badakhshan, 30 acres of land were sown with pistachio seeds and 13,805 Japanese mulberry seeds were planted in an attempt to foster sericulture. At Balkhab and Sar-i-Pul 5,500 poplars have been planted and two seres of almonds, apricots and pines sown.

Sericulture
Sericulture has been practised in various localities of Afghanistan for centuries. More recently, however, it has received the attention of those Govern-ment departments concerned with the increase in production of silk and the raising of the nation's standard of living.

Experimental areas have been set aside in many provinces where silkworms are bred under the supervision of experts both Afghan and foreign, the services of the latter having been facilitated by the United Nations Technical Assistance Pro-gramme. Results so far have been encouraging and the future prospects of Sericulture in Afghanistan appear to be very good.

During the year a new station has been established in Herat. The Gulbagh station in Kabul was completed at about the same time, and this year arrangements were made for the breeding of silkworms. In these stations the egg-laying moths are hatched, and these in turn are distributed throughout the country.

Some 885 boxes of silkworm eggs have been distributed in Badakhshan. In Nangarhar 800 boxes were sold during the year, while at Herat the sales rose to 1,784 cases. Seven boxes were given to the Helmand Valley Authority, 170 boxes to the Cotton Union Co. of Kunduz and 20 boxes to the Village Development Project Headquarters. One sample box was sent to France.

Thirty packages of the egg-laying moth were sent to the Baghlan Sugar Refinery for the second term of the year 1337 and

twelve packages to the Kunduz Cotton Union Company for the first term of that year.

At the Nangarhar station 182 packages of the egg-laying moth have been produced from 2,000 boxes of eggs.

Parwan produced 1,000 boxes of eggs, the Tapa-i-Taj Beg station between 4,000 and 5,000 boxes, together with 330 packages of egg-laying moths.

The cocoons gathered from all the stations amounted to 40 seres (640 lbs.). It has been decided to establish another station in Nangarhar, where 15 acres of land have been set aside for the cultiva-tion of Japanese mulberry trees. For the time being the grant for this purpose has been fixed at 280,000 Afghanis.

Irrigation and Canal Improvements
The Ajimir Canal, the Kelagai Desert and the Kokcha River have all been surveyed.

Grafting olive trees in Pactya Province

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Improvement work began on the Ajimir Canal, which irrigates a large area of Baghlan. Cement pipes were used to prevent the canal sides from caving in in some parts. At Jarikhushk and Hassan Tal, where the introduction of electric power was feasible, all the necessary equipment was prepared. A further improvement has been the erection of strong walls with sufficient boulder-backing in places where floods damaged the canal.

of beetroot cultivation in Baghlan and Ghori, where seven varieties of seeds from Poland are being used experimentally.
The distribution of seeds to farmers in northern provinces during the past year was as follows:
Cotton seed
in Kataghan 434,585 seres
Cotton seed
in Mazar-i-Sharif 83,275 seres
Cotton seed
in Shibirghan & Akcha 59,000 seres

A D.D.T. unit preparing for the next lot of spraying

When the Kelagai Desert project is completed, some 5,500 acres of new land will come under cultivation. The Archi Canal moreover is being surveyed, and steps have been taken to clean canals throughout the country.

In all cotton-growing areas, the Ministry's technical experts are on hand to advise the farmers. The same is true

Cotton seed
in Maimana 24,705 seres

Beetroot seed
in Kataghan 143,115 Kg.

Wheat
in Mazar-i-Sharif,
Shibirghan, Maimana,
Herat & Farah 10,000 tons

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The wheat has been specially imported from the Soviet Union and its distribution supervised by technical experts from the Ministry. It will be observed during its growth, and arrangements have been made for a further increase in wheat production through the distribution of these seeds to other provinces later on.
Some 40 tons of a special American wheat, found highly productive and resistant to disease during several experimental seasons, are being imported for distribution in the province of Kabul.
In the field of animal husbandry also, steps for improvement were taken during the year. New establishments for animal breeding were opened at Jamalmaina and Bini Hissar in Kabul. There cows, sheep, horses and various types of fowl are bred under close supervision and the better animals thus obtained are being circulated round the various communities for further reproduction. Throughout the year some 269,594 animals have been vaccinated against divers diseases; 329,575 animals have been treated with medicines administered by mouth, and 1,161 animals received treatment in the Ministry's veterinary hospital.
In order to produce a special breed of dairy cows, eleven cross-bred calves have been allocated to individual farmers, and in the Artificial Insemination Laboratory 780 cows were inseminated from the best breeds of foreign bulls. 4,073 of the best eggs, together with 215 hens have also been distributed among the farmers, the purpose being to step up the quantity and quality of chickens from the double view-point of egg-production and food value.
The Veterinary Course was extended to three years and the Chicken-Breeding Course continued as before.
A large and modern egg-hatching establishment was completed in Bini Hissar.
The animal husbandry laboratory at Kataghan was also completed and activities there begun.

One of the famous Kataghani breed of horses brought to Kabul for breeding purposes

Construction work was started on animal husbandry laboratories at Kandahar and Herat.
With a view to increasing the number of trained personnel, two people were sent to Beirut, two to Western Germany, one to England, one to Iran and one to Australia, for advanced training.
The arrangements made for the construction of laboratories and the study of diseases affecting staple food crops at Herat and Kataghan were successfully concluded. At the present time diseases affecting wheat, sugar cane, vines and pears are being investigated.
As part of the campaign against plant diseases, the following medicines and equipment were procured from abroad: 440 spray guns (with and without wheels), 750 gallons of Malathion, 12,400 pounds of D.D.T., 2 tons of Ceresan, 660 tons of Hexachloro.
A three-week course for the promotion of a campaign against plant diseases was begun in January, 1958, and continued

49


throughout the year. In the provinces,
especially in the Kabul Province, the
trainees are continually helping farmers
in their campaigns.

Stations for the same purpose have
been set up in many places where films
from various countries showing their
methods of combatting plant diseases, are
shown. At Kohdaman some 133,600
vines were treated by graduates of the
course. Around 5,251 seres of powdered
sulphur were sold to owners of vineyards
at a nominal price.

At Dehsaleh, east of the capital, 236,745
vines and 2,590 trees were sprayed.

Last year's activities also included the
sowing of lucerne, some other foreign
plants and the Shapisandi wheat for
demonstration purposes, and the showing
to farmers of the uses of artificial ferti-
lisers such as ammonium nitrate and
super phosphates. Reports too were
presented to the Ministry on the various
diseases encountered by agricultural
teams at all stations.

Three demonstration centres were
opened at Sarai Khwaja, Paghman and
Jalrez and their purpose, in showing the
most modern and scientific methods in
bee-keeping, was to encourage bee-owners
to produce more honey.

Tree-spraying against insects is an important facet of agricultural activity. The photo here shows
part of an orchard at Char Asiab, near Shewaki, being sprayed

50


A bird's-eye view of the Gulbahar Textile Mills, which will go into full operation next year

100 kWh. power at Farah may be
mentioned.

The Gulbahar steam-generated power
plant (2,800 kWh.) is also well under
way.

TEXTILE PROJECTS

Fabrics and clothes constitute the
biggest import items for Afghanistan,
using up vast sums in foreign currency.
Textile projects, therefore, enjoy a certain
amount of priority in the Plan.

1. Gulbahar Textile Plant

It is the biggest factory in Afghanistan,
consisting of 47,000 spindles and 1,422
automatic weaving machines with sections
for white, coloureds, prints and waste
products. The construction work has
been going on for several years now.
During last year the entire spinning
section and a part of the weaving
machines were installed and began trial

operation. Other sections are also com-
pleted in the neighbourhood of 70-90%.
It is expected that the factory will go
into full production in the next fiscal year.

2. The Umeed Rayon Plant

This plant, consisting of 40 automatic
weaving machines and producing up to
650,000 metres of rayon annually, began
operations in January.

3. The Kandahar Woollen Textile Plant

A new project is in hand which will,
with the co-operation of a Polish organisa-
tion, enhance the quality and increase
production of the present factory at
Kandahar. New machinery for its expan-
sion is already being installed.

CEMENT

With no cement factory, Afghanistan
was facing a rather grave problem by an
annual expenditure of her hard-earned

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The newly built Cement Factory at Jabalussaraj, which produces 100 tons of much needed cement a day.


One of the aircraft of the Ariana Afghan Airlines being checked prior to one of its international flights


foreign currency and, at times, due to a halt in the import of cement, an inability to implement her development projects. Losses sustained due to these problems in the not too distant past have been overwhelming.

The first sizeable cement factory in Afghanistan started operation in 1958 and achieved its maximum daily production of 100 tons only this year. But since the need for cement is constantly increasing, the decision was made to embark on the immediate construction of another and bigger plant.

The new plant with the daily capacity of 200 tons (expandable to 400 tons per day) is being constructed at Kataghan with the co-operation of the Czechoslovak Techno-Export. All the raw materials necessary are to be found almost on the spot and electricity will be supplied by the Second Puli-Khumri hydro-electric plant.

Construction work has already started and some machinery has arrived on the site. It is expected that the plant will begin operation in the fifth year of the Plan.

WORKSHOPS
All the machines and items of mechanical transport imported into Afghanistan require constant maintenance and repair. If facilities for this were not available, the machinery and vehicles would be lost to the country without having fully served the purposes for which they were imported. This in turn damages the nation's economy. So to reduce such heavy losses the establish-ment of several repair workshops for vehicles and other machinery in various parts of Afghanistan has been undertaken as part of the Economic Plan.

These workshops are being built at the following sites :—

H.M. The King visiting the Cement Factory at Jabalussaraj

1. The Jangalak Repair and Hardware Factory.
This factory was primarily estab-lished as a workshop and training centre for the Textile Company. This year it was made independent of the Textile Company, and with Govern-ment capital, it was transformed into a factory for metal work and repair of vehicles. There are the following sections in this factory: smelting, casting, spare parts manufacture, engine repair works and repair shops for other machinery.

The vehicle repair shop can handle 1,000 per year.

The tractor repair shop can handle 50 per year.

The stationary engine shop can handle 25 per year.

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2. The Mazar Vegetable Oil Plant
In order to make use of cotton-seed and other oil-bearing seeds at Mazar-i-Sharif, a plant has been purchased from Czechoslovakia and construction work on the factory has already started.

3. Fruit Conserving Plant at Kandahar
Afghan fruits have a significant place among exports from the viewpoint of securing foreign currency. However, due to lack of proper means for drying, packing and otherwise preserving them, Afghanistan's fruits have had rather limited sales to date and have not gained the important position in world markets which they deserve on account of their superior quality. In order to remove this drawback, it was decided to set up a fruit conserving plant. When the preliminary surveys had been satisfactorily made, construction work began this year on the plant with the help of the Czechoslovak Techno-Export. The plant has the following sections:—

(a) The preserving unit capable of handling 30 tons of fruit in two eight-hour shifts.

(b) The juice-making unit handling 10 tons of fruit in two eight-hour shifts

(c) The fruit-drying unit which can handle 10 tons of fruit in two eight-hour shifts.

(d) The cleaning and sorting unit capable of handling 100 tons of fresh fruit in 24 hours.

The plant can also wash, clean, sort and pack 9,000 tons of raisins annually. It will in addition have a laboratory, repair workshop, carpentry section, used water purification unit, steam unit and a 120 kWh. diesel generator.

CHINAWARE
1. Shakir Chinaworks
A new oven was added to the equipment of the above factory this year, thereby increasing the factory's daily output to 5,000 pieces. A tile manufacturing unit has also been procured and installed at the factory.

2. Kunduz Chinaworks
Another factory under the joint ownership of the Baghlan Cotton Union Company and the Marobini Company of Japan has already been completed. This factory, producing 5,000 pieces per day, was inaugurated in 1958.

THE KANDAHAR INDUSTRIAL ZONE
With the co-operation of the I.C.A. a project has been undertaken in the vicinity of Kandahar for the establishment of several small factories within a zone. Technical problems like the supply of electricity, water, essential services, security and facilities for workers would be a joint responsibility for all the factories. This group will comprise the following factories:—

Cigarette - manufacturing, flax cord manufacture, vegetable oil production,

The China Factory of Kunduz, which was established with the joint capital of the Kunduz Cotton Union Company and the Marobini Company of Japan

57


repair, ironcasting and bicycle assembly, tanning, woodturning, shoemaking, construction material from cement, etc.
The survey work on these factories has been finished by an American firm and it is expected that work on some of the factories may start in the next fiscal year.

FOREIGN CURRENCY
In the first three months of the third year of the Plan about $2,500,000 were placed at the disposal of industry-owners at low industrial exchange rates, in order that the necessary machinery and equipment may be imported. This figure only covers present payments in this respect. The real cost of machinery and equipment purchased and imported during the current year is much higher in view of

the fact that they are secured from various countries on a credit basis.

NEW ORGANISATIONS
The following companies have been registered at the Ministry of Mines and Industries in the first three months of the third year of the Plan:—
1. The Coal Union Co. 10,000,000 Afs.
2. The Industrial Section of Kabul Fruit Co. 2,000,000 Afs.
3. Lutfi Repair Workshop 400,000 Afs.
4. Ghori Factories Construction Co. 35,000,000 Afs.
5. Nangarhar Sugar Factory 17,000,000 Afs.
6. Kandahar Fruit Conserving Co. 40,000,000 Afs.

SELECTED INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS
1335 1336 1337
1. Electricity ... Da Breshna Loy Shirkat kWh. 1,631,246 28,819,339 51,324,748
2. Textiles ... The Textile Co. ... Metres 15,405,328 19,963,384 21,449,588
3. Yarn ... The Textile Co. ... Metres 112,848 123,146 61,492
4. Sugar ... Sugar Co. ... Tons 4,780 4,793 4,732
5. Woollens ... Woollen Textile Co. Kabul Metres 195,781 155,183 163,832
6. Kandahar ... Metres 47,486 63,466 43,595
7. Ginned Cotton Cotton Co. ... Tons 3,147 3,102 3,224
8. Laundry Soap Cotton Co. ... Cakes 1,286,842 1,101,396 1,134,496
9. Toilet Soap ... Cotton Co. ... Cakes — 20,368 28,217
10. Matches ... Match Co. ... Dozens 200,648 185,994 608,670
11. China ... Shakir Co. ... Piece — 104,442 110,519
12. Cement ... Cement Co. ... Tons — — 20,951 (10 months)

MINES
The Ministry's activities in the Mines Department have also continued according to plan both in survey and research and in actual exploitation and development of active mines.

1. Hydrological Survey
A hydrology section had already been

opened in the geological survey department. This year, however, it was further expanded and strengthened as a result of the arrival of experts from the West German Federal Republic, with whom a technical co-operation agreement has been signed. Hydrological and hydrometric activities have since been undertaken on a much larger scale.

58


A view of a picturesque dwelling in the Khost district of Pactya Province


The dam and hydro-electric power station at Pul-i-Khumri

60


A repair workshop was started at
Darulaman for the upkeep of the depart-
ment's equipment. New machinery and
equipment was purchased in addition to
that secured through the West German
Government's and other countries'
technical assistance schemes.

A deep well was drilled at Kunduz
for the fruit-preserving factory there.
Investigations are in hand for deep wells
at Kabul for the Teachers' College,
Kabul University, Charkhi Bridge and at
Kandahar for the motor repair workshop.

A plan has been undertaken to deter-
mine the flow of water in the Afghan
waterways. Special equipment is being
used for the purpose at Tangi Gharoo,
Sarobi, Daronta, Panjsher, Ghorband,
Kunar and Puli-Khumri.

2. Geological and Meteorological Survey

The geological survey of Afghanistan,
started last year, was strengthened this
year with the help of the West German
technicians and equipment placed at our
disposal as a result of a technical
assistance agreement with the West
German Federal Republic.

A special radio-activity survey is being
carried out with the co-operation of a
French team. Also a study is being made
of the river deposits to ascertain the
presence and extent of heavy minerals,
with the co-operation of a French
technical assistance team.

3. Topography and Aerial Survey

The American Fairchild Co., with
whom the Government have an agree-
ment for securing of complete topo-
graphical data on Afghanistan, has now
undertaken to do the following work by
1962, in accordance with an addendum
to the agreement brought about by the
I.C.A.

Aerial photography on the scale of
1/30,000, 1/60,000 of a major part of the
country and photo-mosaic of 1/50,000 and

1/100,000 and topographical maps of
1/50,000, 1/100,000 and 1/250,000.

Further, the work of photography and
ground control surveys has continued in
accordance with the previous plan and
agreements with the U.S.S.R. Techno-
Export and the American Fairchild Co.
A large area has been photographed on
scales of 1/30,000 and 1/60,000. Arrange-
ments have been made for the estab-
lishment of modern archives for the
safe-keeping of aerial and topographic
maps. Additional photographic equip-
ment has been imported from West
Germany.

4. Petroleum

In accordance with an agreement con-
cluded with the U.S.S.R. Techno-Export
organisation, a survey is under way in
the search for petroleum in a large area
of northern Afghanistan. To date, the
following work has been accomplished in
this respect:--

(a) General geological research of
8,000 sq. km. and special study
of the Angut, Yateem Tagh,
Khwaja Garook and Shibirghan
areas covering an area of 1,300
sq. km.

(b) Aerial magnetic charting of
42,000 sq. km.

(c) Photo-geologic charting of some
desert areas.

(d) Gravimetric work in desert areas
27,0000 sq. km.

(e) Seismic study and charting on
definite lines and areas covering
600 sq. km.

(f) The drilling of a research well
1,500 metres deep at Angut Hill
in order to study the general
geological formation of the
area.

(g) The finding of suitable sites for
future drillings in other parts of
the designated area.

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Various buildings have also been erected at Mazar-i-Sharif and at Sari Pul for residences, headquarters, workshops, laboratories and garages for the rather long job of searching for, and probably discovering, oil in the north.
COAL PRODUCTION
Work has continued on mechanisation as well as the study of the extent and quantity of coal at the Karkar and Ishpushta mines.
The following work has been accomplished at the Ishpushta mine:—
(a) The charting of all underground works from the very beginning to the end of 1337 on the 1/2,000 and 1/1,000 scales.
(b) The preparation of future excavation and development plans for coal-faces Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 5.
(c) The completion of the tunnel to coal face No. 3 to a length of 250 metres and setting up a proper haulage way and electric fans in it.
(d) The setting up of a haulage way and metal rails for the transport of coal from the coal face No. 4 halfway to coal face No. 5 to a length of 700 metres.
Karkar Mine
(a) Charting of the whole work from
The Kabul Lapidary and Joinery Co. does most of the decorative marble work, such as table tops

the beginning to the end of 1337 on a scale of 1/2,000.
(b) The preparation of future excavation and development plans.
(c) The setting up of metal columns in the transport tunnels and the expansion of the coal face to a length of 900 metres.
(d) The construction of homes for 100 miners.
Over and above the work carried out at the mines, at the headquarters of the Coal Union at Puli-Khumri a workshop has been set up; 17 buildings have been constructed for officials and 12 houses for the miners with families. Work has also been completed on an electric generator, using coal as fuel, with a capacity of 250 kW., and on several garages. A forestry programme, designed to produce the necessary timber for the mines, is going ahead as scheduled. 25 acres of land at the Union's estate have already been planted with new trees. A further 94 acres have been planted with trees in a proposed 250-acre plantation site at Eshkamesh.
In order to shorten the distance between the Soof valley mines and the places of consumption in Kabul and elsewhere, a new 112 km. long road has been built between these mines and Simingan.
At Herat's Karrukh mine production continued throughout the year for local consumption, which is rather limited.
Coal production figures at Ishpushta for the years 1336 (1957-58) and 1337 (1958-59) were 8,950 and 12,350 tons respectively.
The figures for the same periods for Karkar were 10,699 and 21,396 tons respectively.
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[BLANK PAGE]


MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS

THE main effort of the Ministry of Public Works has been directed towards the continual improvement of the country's highways. This was not the Ministry's only sphere of activity, but the need for completing the work already begun on highways in the east and north was the most pressing, and therefore attracted the most attention.

The third year of the Plan in the Ministry of Public Works saw:
(i) The continuation of projects included in the first and second years of the plan,
(ii) the putting into effect of projects

Countryfolk co-operating with the Government's Labour Corps in building the new Kabul—Torkham highway

(Cont. from page 63)
The Ministry's representatives have participated in the following conferences and international meetings during the year :—
1. E.C.A.F.E.'s Natural Resources Conference at Calcutta.
2. Natural Resources Committee meeting at Bangkok.
3. Annual E.C.A.F.E. meeting at Broad Beach, Australia.

TRANSPORT AFFAIRS

In 1958 the Ministry had established a department of transport for the transport of coal and other mining products. 104 lorries secured through I.C.A. are now in use by this department. A workshop had also been established for the necessary repairs to the department's vehicles.

64


included in the third year of the Plan.
(iii) the undertaking of problems the expenses of which are met from the annual budget.
In the sphere of road building the Ministry's Department of Labour Corps has been very active throughout the year.
The immediate effort was directed at the completion of bridge building and flood defences, and the construction of concrete ramparts at Torkham and Kizil Kala.
On the Torkham-Jalalabad highway, 78 kilometers have been made ready for asphalting, work on the latter having by now begun. This work is going ahead as a result of a Project Agreement between the Afghan Government and I.C.A. (signed June 25th, 1958). The entire length of the highway has been graded, and at least 15 cms. of additional material laid on it, to be topped by 3-5 cms. of granite chippings.
On the Jalalabad-Kabul highway, work on a stretch of 130 kilometres was completed in spite of many physical difficulties. It is estimated that only 5 per cent. of the preliminary work on this road remains to be done before it is ready for asphalting.
76.8 kilometres of the Kabul-Matak highway to the north have been completed, of which 40 kilometres have been asphalted.
The Kizil Kala-Doshi highway, with a total length of 235.6 kilometres was completed in spite of such natural obstacles as hills and gorges, and the fact that climatic conditions for most of the time were almost unbearable.
One of the major problems involved in completing the road between Doshi and Kizil Kala has been the construction of the Alchin Bridge on the Kunduz River. The preliminary steps for the construction of this bridge were taken in the second

year of the plan, when an agreement was signed with the Techno-Export Agency of the Soviet Union. Construction work began immediately, and before the beginning of the third year the bridge was officially opened. The main advantage of this bridge lies in the fact that the distance between Kunduz and Kizil Kala can now be covered in one hour instead of in eight. The consequent economy in petroleum, the running cost of vehicles, the facilities for trade and transit, not to mention the easier flow of human traffic, all add to the importance of this engineering feat. It may be of interest to know that the length of the bridge is 120 metres, its breadth 8.9 metres, while the maximum weight it is capable of supporting is 60 tons.

Salang Highway
At present, there is only one road connecting Kabul with the Northern Provinces of Afghanistan. This road was built in 1931 under the reign of King Mohammed Nadir Shah. Since, at the time, Afghanistan was not in a position to undertake difficult road constructions, it was thought best to follow the easiest route from the technical point of view. Thus the road was built from Kabul to Charikar and the Ghorband defile, over the Shibar Pass and through the Shikari defile to Doshi and from there to Pul-i-Khumri, Kunduz and Mazar-i-Sharif. The main handicap of this route is the long detour which it imposes from Charikar to Doshi. A straight line between Charikar and Doshi would cover about 80 km. but the existing road over the Shibar Pass conecting these two points is 250 km. long.

There is only one practicable passage through the formidable barrier of the Hindukush on the straight line from Charikar to Doshi, and that is the Salang Pass, at an altitude of 3,648 metres. Even there it will still be necessary to dig a 2 1/2 km.-long tunnel. When the present road to

65


People of Pactya Province constructing a secondary road at Mangal

the north was built, it was impossible to envisage such a task; technically and economically the country could not have borne the burden of such an enterprise. Today, however, with the technical assistance that is furnished to us by the Soviet Union, this project has passed from the realm of imagination to that of reality. The Labour Corps of the Ministry of Public Works, guided by engineers from the U.S.S.R., has actively undertaken the construction of the Salang Highway. This new road, which is part of the general project of road improve-

ment and construction from Kabul to the North of Afghanistan, branches off at Charikar from the existing road and joins it again at Doshi, shortening the present route by 150 km.

Work on the road has been divided into three phases:

Phase I :From Doshi to Do Shakh
Phase II : From Jabalussaraj to Awlang
and
Phase III : From Awlang to Do Shakh through the Salang tunnel.

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