The Revival of Formal Music Education in Afghanistan
As a first step in rebuilding formal music education in Afghanistan, a vocational school of music will be established in Kabul. Initiated by the Ministry of Education of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in conjunction with the Monash Asia Institute, Australia and National College of Music, London, with the support of the World Bank, the project will ensure that talented Afghan orphans and other underprivileged children, regardless of gender and social circumstances will be trained in both Afghan traditional and Western classical music.
About the music school
The vocational school of music will be the first and the finest institution for gifted and motivated youth, through the provision of imaginative, artistic and outstanding programs, Music will be taught within a balanced academic and specialised education program for children from year 7 to year 14. The first half of the day will be devoted to normal academic education. The second half of day will focus on specialised music education. The London National College of Music will set up these programs and provide accreditation.
The students of the music school will have the opportunity to become positive and inspiring musicians with a long-term and sustainable livelihood. Graduates of the music school will have the capacity and skills to enhance the educational, artistic, social and cultural life of Afghanistan, as part of the process of national reconstruction and the revival of Afghan music traditions.
Implementation of the project
Dr Ahmad Sarmast, a professional Afghan expatriate musician and musicologist, designed and developed this educational and cultural initiative. The Ministry of Education of Afghanistan has fully adopted the initiative and appointed Dr Sarmast, a Research Fellow of the Monash Asia Institute and Monash School of Music - Conservatorium of Monash University, Australia, as Consultant and Project Director to oversee and lead the implementation of the project.
To speed up the rebuilding of music education and enable key elements of the project to begin immediately, the Ministry of Education of Afghanistan has vacated the former School of Fine Arts building and dedicated its use for the music school. Major refurbishments and construction of new facilities are currently underway to make the existing infrastructure suitable for the provision of quality music education.
Sponsors and support
So far, this project has the support of the World Bank, German Foreign Office, Government of India, Society of Music Merchants (SOMM), London National College of Music, Monash University of Australia and the Embassy of the USA. It also has the full academic support of professional music organizations, including the International Society of Music Education, International Music Council, International Association of Music Products (NAMM) and the Association of the American Voices, as well as several manufacturers of musical instruments and publishers of music specialist books (Yamaha Gulf, Australian Music Association and Reliance Taiwan).
The Ministry of Education of Afghanistan, while thanking those who have already pledged their support, is approaching other countries and potential donors to assist with funding in line with a modest budget, which has been prepared to ensure the successful implementation of the project. Funding is especially needed for the employment of specialist music teachers from abroad.
For further information and how to contribute:
Contact: Dr Ahmad Sarmast
Email: ahmad.sarmast@adm.monash.edu.au
Phone: +93 (0)796 542 952 or +61 (0)421 981 246
To donate to the Music School in Afghanistan, forms can be downloaded at: www.arts.monash.edu.au/mai/roam/support.php
