Taliban Accelerate Religious Education Expansion: 14 New Schools Established in Two Months

In a rapid expansion of their educational agenda, the Taliban have established 14 new religious schools across six provinces in Afghanistan within just two months. This move is part of a broader strategy to reinforce their ideological framework and recruit students, with a focus on military training and fundamentalist teachings rather than modern education.

According to an article published in Hasht-e-Subh online newspaper on August 12, the Taliban, over the past three years, have significantly altered the educational landscape, imposing bans on certain forms of education and repurposing existing school buildings. Reports indicate that at least 25 girls’ secondary schools have been converted into religious seminaries in Badakhshan and Takhar provinces. The newly established Madrassas, each designed to accommodate 1,000 students, are set to proliferate, with plans to build three religious schools in every district throughout the country.

The Taliban’s Ministry of Education has confirmed the construction of these jihadist schools, particularly in Panjshir, Balkh, Paktika, Ghazni, and Badakhshan. However, details about their curricula remain vague, as officials have been instructed to withhold information regarding these institutions. Reliable sources suggest that these schools are used to indoctrinate students with extremist ideologies, with alarming reports of sexual abuse occurring within their walls.

Additionally, the Taliban have implemented a system of academic credentials for their clerics and fighters, issuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees based on completion of religious studies. Recent examinations for 50,000 graduates across 34 provinces have further legitimized the Taliban’s educational framework, with many students receiving degrees that allow them to work in government roles, including the judiciary.

The group’s leadership has emphasized the importance of religious education, with senior officials stating that religious schools are a priority. The Taliban’s supreme leader has mandated the construction of large religious schools in each district, reinforcing a commitment to an educational system that aligns with their extremist ideology. As this expansion continues, concerns grow about the long-term implications for Afghan society and the perpetuation of violence and radicalism.