Harsh Conditions Undermine Education in Western Afghanistan

Harsh Conditions Undermine Education in Western Afghanistan
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Teachers in western Afghanistan say strict Taliban-imposed rules and worsening infrastructure are severely impacting students’ motivation and access to education. Educators told Afghan Amu TV, on condition of anonymity, that Taliban authorities have implemented compulsory dress codes for both students and teachers, with non-compliance threatening job security. Girls as young as third grade are reportedly required to wear full veils, even amid extreme summer heat.

One teacher said her eighth-grade son is considering dropping out due to the rigid dress code. “It’s difficult to learn or teach in these conditions,” she added. Students also face deteriorating school facilities, with many buildings damaged by floods and earthquakes remaining unrepaired. “Our school is closed, and no one is helping,” said a young girl, highlighting the lack of access to education for girls.

In response, UNICEF, in partners with other charitable groups, has launched a $2.75 million initiative to rebuild eight schools in Herat and Badghis, aiming to return 4,000 students to classrooms. The Taliban has not addressed these concerns publicly. Meanwhile, girls above grade six remain banned from school—a policy condemned internationally as a major threat to education and human rights in Afghanistan.