Taliban Expand Religious Schools as Girls’ Secondary Education Remains Banned

Taliban Expand Religious Schools as Girls’ Secondary Education Remains Banned
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Afghanistan’s Taliban government has launched four new religious seminaries in the past week, investing over 25 million afghanis ($354,000) while secondary schools for girls remain closed, Amu TV reported. The largest project, the “Nakhil” madrassa in Paktika, received nearly 20 million afghanis. Three smaller institutions in Paktika, Ghazni, and Parwan provinces share the remaining funds.

Two madrassas are now operational; two are still under construction. Ministry figures show the Taliban have completed five religious schools and started six more in the past three months, alongside some general school construction.

A ministry spokesperson said the expansion demonstrates a “balanced” approach to education, but critics argue it sidelines modern schooling. Education advocates warn the focus on religious institutes risks consolidating ideological control while restricting contemporary learning, especially for girls.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Higher Education has awarded degrees to around 2,500 madrassa graduates, including alumni of Pakistan’s Haqqania seminary, raising concerns about the direction of Afghanistan’s academic system.