School of hope: one teacher’s mission to bring education to Jugi children in Tajikistan
Three years ago, when Surayyo Ismoilzoda arrived at Primary School No. 122 in the village of Abdulloobod, near Vahdat Township, only five first-grade students were attending her class.
Today, around 100 children study at the school, which primarily serves the local Jugi community, also known as Luli or Eastern Gypsies. Despite the progress, dozens of children still cannot enroll because of a shortage of classrooms.
«We taught just five children during my first three days at the school,» recalls Ismoilzoda, who now serves as the school’s director. «Then I began visiting families and encouraging parents to send their children to school. We were able to enroll 11 more first-graders.»
Growing demand, limited space
Abdulloobod is largely inhabited by members of the Jugi community, and School No. 122 is the village’s only primary school.
After Ismoilzoda became principal in 2024, enrollment began to grow steadily. To accommodate more students, the school converted the teachers’ room into a classroom, while desks and chairs were brought from another school.
Enrollment increased from 56 students in 2024 to about 100 during the 2025–2026 academic year.
Even so, the school had to turn away another 40 school-age children because there was simply no room for them.
The learning environment has also improved. While many children previously attended classes in everyday clothing, local authorities donated 20 school uniforms—10 for boys and 10 for girls—ahead of the current academic year.
Today, around 100 children study at the school, which primarily serves the local Jugi community, also known as Luli or Eastern Gypsies. Despite the progress, dozens of children still cannot enroll because of a shortage of classrooms.
«We taught just five children during my first three days at the school,» recalls Ismoilzoda, who now serves as the school’s director. «Then I began visiting families and encouraging parents to send their children to school. We were able to enroll 11 more first-graders.»
Growing demand, limited space
Abdulloobod is largely inhabited by members of the Jugi community, and School No. 122 is the village’s only primary school.
After Ismoilzoda became principal in 2024, enrollment began to grow steadily. To accommodate more students, the school converted the teachers’ room into a classroom, while desks and chairs were brought from another school.
Enrollment increased from 56 students in 2024 to about 100 during the 2025–2026 academic year.
Even so, the school had to turn away another 40 school-age children because there was simply no room for them.
The learning environment has also improved. While many children previously attended classes in everyday clothing, local authorities donated 20 school uniforms—10 for boys and 10 for girls—ahead of the current academic year.
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