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In the five years since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, the educational landscape has dramatically shifted, with male students now facing harsh realities within a collapsing system. Reports reveal a troubling environment at universities, where strict adherence to the Taliban’s ideological framework has replaced academic exploration, and students express fear over punitive measures for minor infractions.
A New Norm: Conformity Over Curiosity
Hashmat*, a student at Kabul University, begins his day with a ritual of scrutiny, ensuring that he meets the Taliban’s stringent dress code for male students. The requirement to grow beards and don traditional Afghan attire has become a focal point of daily life, with punishments meted out for non-compliance. Hashmat recalls a classmate being beaten simply for wearing trousers, emphasising an atmosphere where appearance dictates authority long before lessons commence.
“Your external presentation can put you in trouble before you even enter the classroom,” he observes, highlighting the oppressive environment that permeates the campus.
The educational framework has shifted dramatically, with mandatory religious lectures consuming time that was previously reserved for academic subjects. These sessions, often lasting two hours, focus on obedience and conduct. Hashmat lamented, “I am missing my actual classes to sit in a lecture about obeying. Everyone talks about the girls who were banned, but nobody discusses the boys who are left behind.”
The Decline of Academic Rigor
The repercussions of the Taliban’s regime have created a vacuum of qualified educators. An alarming report from UNESCO indicates a significant contraction in Afghanistan’s higher education sector between 2019 and 2024, with male student enrolment plummeting from 310,369 to 188,957, while female enrolment has dropped to zero. This decline has left students grappling with a lack of experienced professors, many of whom have fled the country or been sidelined in favour of ideologically compliant instructors.
Students like Hashmat express concern about the qualifications of their lecturers, noting that some instructors are recent graduates themselves. “How can you teach journalism technology if you do not understand what technology is?” he questions, reflecting the dissonance between the subject matter and the capabilities of those teaching it.
Zalmay*, a student from Helmand province, corroborates these sentiments, stating, “Some teachers come to class and only read from old notes. When we ask questions, they cannot explain beyond what is written in front of them. It feels like we are back in high school.”
The Loss of Hope and Purpose
Once a beacon of hope and opportunity, Kabul University has transformed into a shadow of its former self, now operating more like a madrassa where curiosity is stifled. The once vibrant discussions and debates that characterised university life have vanished, replaced by a culture of compliance and silence.
Hashmat recounts the impact of the Taliban’s grip on education, noting that his younger brothers have dropped out of school, no longer believing that education can pave the way to a better future. “For years, we were told that education was the safest path forward. Now, that promise feels utterly hollow,” he admits.
Even within the field of journalism, students face hostility and doubt. With the profession under severe restrictions and many independent news outlets shuttered, Hashmat and his peers question the relevance of their studies. “We are studying journalism in a country where journalism barely exists. What are we being trained for?” he asks, a sentiment echoed by many of his classmates.
Why it Matters
The ongoing decline of education in Afghanistan under Taliban rule not only jeopardises the future of the country’s youth but also threatens the very fabric of Afghan society. The systematic dismantling of academic freedom and critical thinking skills risks creating a generation ill-equipped to challenge the status quo or contribute to the nation’s rebuilding. As the Taliban’s war on education persists, the broader implications for governance, civil society, and economic development remain profound, highlighting an urgent need for international attention and intervention.
