Afghanistan: Taliban suspends educational activities “until further notice”

The Taliban-controlled government in Afghanistan has suspended all educational activities in Kandahar and Helmand provinces, where an expert committee has been formed to investigate all educational initiatives and operations.

The Afghan education ministry requested the “suspension of all educational activities” until all school and college programs have been reviewed, intending to handle “all controversial issues” at the national level.

Since the Taliban took control in August 2021, they have imposed restrictions on education in Afghanistan, mainly targeting women. Restrictions include prohibiting females from attending schools and colleges, gender segregation in public areas, and forbidding them from traveling long distances unless accompanied by a male relative.

The suspension of educational activities is a continuation of the Taliban’s efforts to limit access to education, particularly for women and girls.

Despite initial pledges to be more moderate than their previous regime, the Taliban has reverted to its strict interpretation of Islamic law, restricting women’s rights and freedoms in the country.

It should be mentioned that the move is expected to serve the extremist ideology of the Taliban group, as recent restrictions on press freedom and human rights have revealed.