While demolishing an old structure, local workers are busy constructing the new Koru Chareh School, Dec 3. The school is located in North Marjah, next to the Koru Chareh Bazaar and Koru Village. The new school is scheduled to be completed this month and will educate up to 400 students per day. Along with the school’s structure, the workers have constructed walls to protect the school, a gate, several security posts, bathrooms, a well, and a soccer field. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Daniel Blatter)

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
010-12-D-090
For Immediate Release
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KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 8, 2010) – Construction has started on the ninth school commissioned by coalition forces in Marjah, Helmand province.

The Koru Chareh School, scheduled for completion this month, will be located in north Marjah, next to the Koru Chareh Bazaar and Koru Village.

“We have essentially gone from a location where the Taliban have destroyed schools and chased away teachers, and students, and in a matter of months, we have turned it around and opened school after school,” said 2nd Lt. Joel Detrick, the Marjah cell operations officer for Regimental Combat Team 1.

In a district with more than 200,000 people making up the population, schools in the area have been a main priority for Marines, Afghan National Security Forces and the Afghan government.

“The Koru Chareh Bazaar is one of the most successful places in Marjah,” said 1st Lt. Taylor Williams, commander of Weapons Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. “And the people want their children to get educated.”

The new school building will consist of six classrooms and an office for the headmaster.

Along with the building’s structure, the workers have already erected walls, a gate, several security posts, bathrooms, a well and a soccer field.

With the new school pending completion this month, more than 350 students are currently attending classes in a temporary school located close to the construction site.

“Our temporary school is the most successful school in the area, with kids who want to learn and always come to school,” said Williams. “Our teachers come every day and continue to teach the children because they know that the children are the future of Afghanistan, and educating them now will benefit the country and their town.”