It has been an exciting month for ANA Legal Development. On 3 February 2010, the Temporary Legal School at Kabul Military Training Center (KMTC) held its grand opening. On 1 March 2010, the first ever paralegal class held its graduation following two weeks of instruction. 
The facility at KTMC consists of a state-of-the art classroom, a seminar room, and a faculty work area. Plans are underway to conduct judicial training and other advanced training for CID, prosecutors and defense counsel at the facility.
The opening of the Legal School marks a significant move forward for GS Legal. Legal officers and paralegals now have a place they can call “home.” This facility will allow training and training development to occur until the permanent Legal School opens on the Afghan Defense University campus in 2012.
Following the opening of the school, the first ever paralegal class began on 16 February 2010 with 16 paralegals in attendance from the Kabul area. Paralegals are NCOs who provide support to unit legal officers. During the first week of training, the students received literacy training. On the first day of class, a literacy test was administered. Following literacy training, the literacy test was re-administered using a new version of the exam. The results indicate that all students achieved passing after having received a total of 27 hours of literacy instruction.
Students also received instruction on non-judicial punishment, leadership and combating corruption. The Chief Judge of the Military Court of Appeal, BG Khawari provided instruction on the military courts in Afghanistan.
The students were excited by their training and eager to learn more. On the last day of class, one student asked what he could do to ensure his supervisors knew about the training he had received. The instructor responded by saying, “show them what you can do.”
The end of the paralegal class is just the beginning for this small school. Despite its size, it has an enormous role: it is the center of excellence for the rule of law in the Afghan National Army.
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