16-year-old Aqlima from the Afghanistan Newsroom explains the damaging changes to boys’ education
Since the Taliban regained power in August 2021, the education system in Afghanistan has undergone a complete overhaul. The ban on secondary and higher education for girls and women has made headlines around the world, but boys’ education has undergone a significant transformation too. But what are the changes and why are they taking place?
According to the Taliban government, many subjects that were previously taught in schools are not important for boys. For example, subjects including art, sports and civics have been completely eliminated. English, computer science and other science classes still exist, but have been reduced. These changes affect government schools, but not private schools.
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Female teachers who used to teach boys (especially in younger grades) are no longer allowed to work. Many qualified teachers have fled or been dismissed, leaving gaps in expertise, especially in science and technical subjects.
At the same time, general education is being replaced with madrasa-stylereligious instruction, with most of the school’s day dedicated to it.
The Taliban has increased the number of hours dedicated to Islamic studies like that of the Holy Quran, Hadith, and Islamic beliefs and morals. Ideological training has also increased, and boys are taught informally about Jihadist history and how the Taliban are role models.
Students and others are debating whether these changes are good or bad. Some think that removing modern subjects will be a disaster for Afghan students – and some families have even left the country as a result.
Government school student Sardar Amiri*, 17, claimed that “removing the subjects has caused much harm. We no longer learn about new ideas or professions; we only study Islamic beliefs and Jihad.”
Private school teacher Salih Mohammad* said, “These rules only apply to government schools, not to the private ones.” This means the Taliban controls publicly funded schools and allows private schools to teach subjects that were removed.
Beyond curriculum changes in boys’ schools, the Taliban’s restrictions now extend deep into the university system. Under directives issued by the Ministry of Higher Education, 18 subjects have been eliminated and almost 700 bookshave been banned, because of their “anti-Sharia and Taliban policies”. In addition, all books written by womenare now prohibited, according to a member of the Taliban’s textbook review committee.
“This isn’t limited to schools,” said education expert Tahir Mohammad*. “The Taliban’s removal of subjects and banning of female-authored books at the university level shows how deeply education is being reshaped to fit their ideology.”
For Afghanistan to progress, experts stress that a balanced education – one that includes both religious values and modern knowledge – is essential.
Kabul-based academic Ahmad Mansoor* said: “When you erase half the population from knowledge and silence every voice that challenges your worldview, you’re not building a nation – you’re dismantling its future.”
*Names have been changed to protect identities
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