Afghan Shia Private Schools Face Severe Challenges as Earthquake Adds to Education Crisis
Afghanistan’s education sector is facing a deepening crisis as private Shia schools struggle under economic, social, and political pressures, while recent earthquakes have caused devastating losses among students and infrastructure.
Shia private schools, once a partial alternative to weak public institutions, are under severe strain, Shia Waves Persian reported. Widespread poverty, an ongoing economic downturn, and restrictions on female students and teachers have forced many families to withdraw children from education. Rising costs, reduced enrollments, and harassment by local authorities have pushed some schools to the brink of closure or forced consolidation.
The situation has worsened following a recent earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, which killed at least 268 students and injured 862, according to Reuters. Around 200,000 children were left out of school, with 53 schools destroyed and 253 partially damaged. Save the Children estimates that some 260,000 Afghan children were directly affected, requiring urgent educational and psychological support.
International organizations have repeatedly warned of long-term consequences if millions of Afghan children, particularly girls, remain excluded from learning. Experts caution that the combined impact of poverty, restrictive policies, and natural disasters threatens not only the future of Afghanistan’s youth but also the country’s broader human and economic development.
Despite these hardships, reports highlight that Shia private schools continue to show resilience through flexible management, innovative teaching methods, and a strong sense of social responsibility. Many educators remain committed, conducting classes with minimal resources.
Analysts stress that rebuilding hope in education requires both domestic action and sustained international support. Without urgent intervention, Afghanistan risks losing an entire generation to illiteracy, poverty, and despair.
