Taliban Accelerates Religious School Construction Amid Ongoing Ban on Girls’ Education

Taliban Accelerates Religious School Construction Amid Ongoing Ban on Girls’ Education
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The Taliban constructed or initiated work on seven religious schools across Afghanistan during the month of Saratan (June 22–July 22), marking a significant increase from just one school the previous month, according to figures released by the Taliban-run Ministry of Education, as reported by Amu TV.

The total cost of the new projects is estimated at nearly 35 million Afghanis (around $500,000), though funding sources were not disclosed. New institutions include the Taaleem al-Quran and Tayeba religious schools for girls in Parwan and Ghazni, respectively, along with other madrassas in Herat, Paktika, Sar-e-Pul, and an unnamed location.

Separately, the Bakhtar News Agency reported the construction of a private religious school, Misbah al-Uloom, in Balkh Province, valued at 10 million Afghanis.
Analysts have raised concerns that the Taliban are expanding religious infrastructure to promote extremist ideologies while keeping girls barred from secondary and higher education.

Security experts warned that such institutions may serve to indoctrinate future generations with militant ideologies. Since the Taliban returned to power, over 1,400 days have passed without high school education for girls, and universities remain closed to female students. Human rights organizations continue to urge the Taliban to restore access to education for all.