Taliban close 200 UNICEF-supported community classes in Panjshir

The Taliban have closed 200 UNICEF-supported community-based classes in Afghanistan’s Panjshir province, Amu TV reported. These closures affect around 5,000 students, both boys and girls, and more than 200 teachers, each earning about 9,200 afghanis (approximately $120) monthly. This income has been crucial for many families facing economic difficulties in the region. The total monthly salary support of over 1.84 million afghanis (around $24,000) not only provided educational access but also financial stability for hundreds of households.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, they initially claimed restrictions on girls’ education would be temporary. However, three years later, bans remain on girls attending school beyond sixth grade and university. Recently, these restrictions have expanded to include informal and community-based education initiatives supported by humanitarian agencies like UNICEF.

Panjshir is not the first province to experience such closures; similar community classrooms have been shut down in Logar, Khost, and Paktia. These moves have drawn widespread condemnation from international organizations and voices across the Islamic world, who argue that the restrictions are based on the Taliban leadership’s personal interpretations rather than Islamic teachings. Despite international pressure, the Taliban continue to dismantle the limited educational opportunities that remain in Afghanistan, deepening concerns over the future of education, particularly for girls.