🎓 From Closed School Doors to New Pathways: EBA’s First Graduation Ceremony
Five years have passed since the doors of secondary and high schools were closed to girls in Afghanistan. This deprivation later became even broader and more painful with the closure of universities. Yet throughout these years, Afghan girls’ desire to learn, progress, and build a better future did not fade. Instead, they continued their journey with even greater determination, turning their homes into classrooms.
On Thursday, 17 September 2026, Education Bridge for Afghanistan (EBA) held its first official graduation ceremony online—a historic day for students who refused to give up on education under the most difficult circumstances, and for the families, teachers, volunteers, and supporters who believed that the closure of educational buildings should never mean the end of learning.
During the ceremony, the achievements of EBA and its students were highlighted, while graduates shared their experiences, the challenges they had faced, and their hopes for the future. Their words reminded us of an important truth: education does not necessarily depend on being physically present inside a school building. Education is a determination that can find its way toward the light even in the darkest circumstances.
We were honoured to welcome distinguished guests and supporters of education and the arts on this historic day.
Cliff Cooper, Chief Executive Officer of TLM, spoke about the importance of access to recognised education, the need to create future educational pathways for young people in Afghanistan, and his commitment to supporting our students.
Alex Crawford, distinguished Sky News journalist, shared meaningful words in support of our students’ efforts and emphasised the importance of standing alongside their right to education.
One of the most memorable moments of the ceremony was a special message from one of Afghanistan’s most beloved and celebrated artists, Ustad Dawood Sarkhosh, addressed to EBA graduates. Alongside his warm and inspiring message, he generously provided a beautiful artistic video that reflected the spirit and meaning of this historic occasion. His art and words filled the ceremony with hope, emotion, and solidarity. We are deeply grateful for this sincere and valuable support.
🏅 Honouring the Top Ten Students
During a special part of the ceremony, ten outstanding students were recognised with Certificates of Academic Excellence. The top three students also received special awards and prizes and shared parts of their educational journeys, experiences, and hopes for the future with those attending the ceremony.
Some time ago, we invited generous members of the public and supporters of education to help us provide prizes for EBA’s first outstanding graduates. Today, we are proud to share the result of your trust and support:
🥇 First Place: Laptop
🥈 Second Place: Tablet
🥉 Third Place: Smartphone
Each of these awards carries a clear message to our students:
Your efforts have been recognised. Your community believes in your abilities, and you are not alone on the path ahead.
We sincerely thank everyone whose contributions made these awards possible. Your support enabled us to celebrate the first achievements of EBA graduates in a meaningful and dignified way.
One of the most emotional moments of the ceremony was the reading of the Graduates’ Pledge and their symbolic procession. The graduates pledged to continue learning, use their knowledge in service of their communities, defend the right of others to education, and contribute to building a brighter future.
This celebration honoured a generation that stood against deprivation, continued learning through hardship, and refused to allow its hope for the future to disappear.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the courageous families, teachers, partner schools, volunteers, organising team, supporters, and everyone who worked behind the scenes to make this historic day possible.
For security reasons, the names and personal details of our students, teachers, and colleagues inside Afghanistan are not published. Protecting their safety and privacy remains one of EBA’s highest priorities.
Five years of deprivation—but also five years of resilience, learning, and creating new pathways.
To the first graduates of Education Bridge for Afghanistan, we say:
You have not only completed an educational journey; you have also proved that school and university doors may be closed, but the human determination to learn, grow, and move forward cannot be stopped.
With great pride, we congratulate you. 💙🎓
Education Bridge for Afghanistan
Building a bridge from deprivation to opportunity, and from darkness to light.
#Education_Bridge_for_Afghanistan
Five years have passed since the doors of secondary and high schools were closed to girls in Afghanistan. This deprivation later became even broader and more painful with the closure of universities. Yet throughout these years, Afghan girls’ desire to learn, progress, and build a better future did not fade. Instead, they continued their journey with even greater determination, turning their homes into classrooms.
On Thursday, 17 September 2026, Education Bridge for Afghanistan (EBA) held its first official graduation ceremony online—a historic day for students who refused to give up on education under the most difficult circumstances, and for the families, teachers, volunteers, and supporters who believed that the closure of educational buildings should never mean the end of learning.
During the ceremony, the achievements of EBA and its students were highlighted, while graduates shared their experiences, the challenges they had faced, and their hopes for the future. Their words reminded us of an important truth: education does not necessarily depend on being physically present inside a school building. Education is a determination that can find its way toward the light even in the darkest circumstances.
We were honoured to welcome distinguished guests and supporters of education and the arts on this historic day.
Cliff Cooper, Chief Executive Officer of TLM, spoke about the importance of access to recognised education, the need to create future educational pathways for young people in Afghanistan, and his commitment to supporting our students.
Alex Crawford, distinguished Sky News journalist, shared meaningful words in support of our students’ efforts and emphasised the importance of standing alongside their right to education.
One of the most memorable moments of the ceremony was a special message from one of Afghanistan’s most beloved and celebrated artists, Ustad Dawood Sarkhosh, addressed to EBA graduates. Alongside his warm and inspiring message, he generously provided a beautiful artistic video that reflected the spirit and meaning of this historic occasion. His art and words filled the ceremony with hope, emotion, and solidarity. We are deeply grateful for this sincere and valuable support.
🏅 Honouring the Top Ten Students
During a special part of the ceremony, ten outstanding students were recognised with Certificates of Academic Excellence. The top three students also received special awards and prizes and shared parts of their educational journeys, experiences, and hopes for the future with those attending the ceremony.
Some time ago, we invited generous members of the public and supporters of education to help us provide prizes for EBA’s first outstanding graduates. Today, we are proud to share the result of your trust and support:
🥇 First Place: Laptop
🥈 Second Place: Tablet
🥉 Third Place: Smartphone
Each of these awards carries a clear message to our students:
Your efforts have been recognised. Your community believes in your abilities, and you are not alone on the path ahead.
We sincerely thank everyone whose contributions made these awards possible. Your support enabled us to celebrate the first achievements of EBA graduates in a meaningful and dignified way.
One of the most emotional moments of the ceremony was the reading of the Graduates’ Pledge and their symbolic procession. The graduates pledged to continue learning, use their knowledge in service of their communities, defend the right of others to education, and contribute to building a brighter future.
This celebration honoured a generation that stood against deprivation, continued learning through hardship, and refused to allow its hope for the future to disappear.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the courageous families, teachers, partner schools, volunteers, organising team, supporters, and everyone who worked behind the scenes to make this historic day possible.
For security reasons, the names and personal details of our students, teachers, and colleagues inside Afghanistan are not published. Protecting their safety and privacy remains one of EBA’s highest priorities.
Five years of deprivation—but also five years of resilience, learning, and creating new pathways.
To the first graduates of Education Bridge for Afghanistan, we say:
You have not only completed an educational journey; you have also proved that school and university doors may be closed, but the human determination to learn, grow, and move forward cannot be stopped.
With great pride, we congratulate you. 💙🎓
Education Bridge for Afghanistan
Building a bridge from deprivation to opportunity, and from darkness to light.
#Education_Bridge_for_Afghanistan
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