Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban have systematically dismantled Afghanistan’s educational advancements—especially for girls. Secondary education for girls has been outright banned since late 2021, and by December 2022, women were barred from universities as well, cutting off access to higher education for over 100,000 individuals (Human Rights Watch, UNESCO).
Primary school attendance has also dropped significantly: from 6.8 million students in 2019 to just 5.7 million in 2022 (UNESCO). With these restrictions, UNESCO warns that educational exclusion threatens Afghanistan’s future development (AP News).
Girls Left to Religious Schools and Online Networks
With formal education blocked, many girls—especially those under 12—turn to madrassas as their only schooling option. One Kabul madrassa now reportedly counts girls as 90% of its roughly 400 students (AP News).
Still, madrassas largely focus on Quranic memorization and Islamic studies, while secular subjects remain limited or absent (AP News, Voice of America). This religious pivot narrows students’ horizons, sidelining critical modern fields.
In response, Afghan activists like Paris-based Parasto Hakim are running underground schools via WhatsApp and Google Meet, educating nearly 2,800 girls across 16 provinces (The Times). Similarly, Pashtana Durrani’s LEARN Afghanistan operates covert digital classrooms in six provinces, teaching 650+ students despite grave risks (Wikipedia).
Boys’ Education Also Suffers
While boys can technically continue schooling, the quality and scope have deteriorated drastically. Many schools now lack qualified teachers, and essential subjects like science, arts, and civic education have been removed. Corporal punishment is on the rise, and attendance has dropped significantly as students leave school to work or migrate (Human Rights Watch, Broken Chalk). One student noted, “I don’t understand the difference between my school and our local mosque anymore” (Human Rights Watch). Another reported attendance plummeting from 38 to just 12–15 students per class (Human Rights Watch).
Curriculum Overhaul: Erasing Rights, Secularism, and Diversity
The Taliban have extensively revised curricula, eliminating topics on human rights, democracy, women’s rights, minority languages, arts, physical education, and civic awareness (Deutsche Welle, Broken Chalk). Inclusive education tailored for ethnic and religious minorities has also been abandoned (Deutsche Welle).
International human rights law emphasizes that education must foster full personal development and respect for rights—but the Taliban’s new curriculum directly conflicts with those principles (Broken Chalk).
Higher Education: University Life Interrupted
Kabul University exemplifies the broader trend: initially reopened in early 2022 with gender-segregated classes, it ultimately banned women entirely by late 2022 (Wikipedia). The university’s leadership has faced significant criticism, including mass resignations over its ideological shift and push to purge Western influence (Wikipedia).
Bans on Female Medical and Vocational Training
Even basic vocational education is being extracted from women’s reach. In December 2024, the Taliban reversed earlier permissions for women to train as nurses or midwives—despite Afghanistan’s dire maternal health indicators (Wikipedia). The UN and human rights groups condemned this move as profoundly discriminatory.
Creative Educational Alternatives Emerging
- BBC’s Dars program: Broadcast in Dari and Pashto since April 2023, this educational show reaches children aged 11–16 with adapted lessons in maths, science, IT, and more—becoming a “learning lifeline” for those denied schooling (Wikipedia).
- Community and NGO-led education: Non-formal programs like literacy, community-based schooling, accelerated learning, home-based programs, and vocational skills have reached thousands, especially girls. UNICEF and the Aga Khan Foundation lead many such efforts (Aubsp, Broken Chalk).
- Georgetown Institute’s recommendations: Proposals emphasize mobile learning (offline apps, radio), scaling local Afghan-led models (like SOLA boarding schools and LEARN), ramping up teacher stipends, and incorporating practical, economically empowering curriculum (giwps.georgetown.edu).
International Actors and Advocacy
- UNESCO’s Education Sector Support Plan (2024–25) aims to safeguard learning rights—particularly for girls—through livelihood skills, teacher development, and coordination with education partners (UNESCO).
- Former President Hamid Karzai continues to call for the restoration of girls’ education and criticized bans on women’s medical training as deeply regrettable (Wikipedia).
Closing Thoughts
Afghanistan’s educational system under the Taliban is unraveling—from denial of girls’ formal education to a narrowing religious curriculum and collapsing quality for all students. Still, pockets of resistance and innovation—underground schools, digital networks, media programs, and NGO interventions—offer glimmers of hope amid repression.
Without access to comprehensive education for half the population, Afghanistan risks long-term socio-economic stagnation and deep societal inequality. The resilience of Afghan educators and learners remains key—but sustained global support and pressure are crucial to preserve any pathway to learning.