Taliban Bans Teachers’ Day Celebrations, Deepening Hardship for Afghan Educators

Taliban Bans Teachers’ Day Celebrations, Deepening Hardship for Afghan Educators
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Afghanistan marked World Teachers’ Day on October 5 in silence this year, after the Taliban banned all forms of celebration. The international day, observed globally to honor educators, passed without recognition in the country as teachers continue to face worsening economic and professional conditions under Taliban rule. According to Shafaqna Afghanistan, authorities in Herat ordered both public and private schools to refrain from holding any events, warning that violators would face consequences. The directive was later extended to other provinces.

Before the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Afghan authorities had traditionally commemorated the day through official ceremonies and teacher recognition events attended by senior officials. Since taking control, however, the Taliban has dismantled such practices and imposed tighter control over the education system. Teachers’ salaries have been reduced, and around 80,000 employees from the Ministry of Education have reportedly been dismissed.

Educators say their wages are no longer sufficient to meet basic living costs, forcing many to take on side jobs such as street vending or manual labor to support their families. The Taliban has also introduced strict personal conduct requirements, including mandatory beards for men and conservative dress codes for women, along with periodic religious testing for teachers.

Female educators have been particularly affected. The Taliban’s ban on girls’ education beyond sixth grade has left more than two million students out of school and thousands of female teachers unemployed. Some were initially paid symbolic stipends but later removed from payroll lists altogether.

Observers warn that the Taliban’s restrictions amount to a “war on knowledge,” undermining Afghanistan’s human capital and long-term development. Analysts say these policies are depriving millions of children—especially girls—of their right to education, entrenching poverty, and threatening the country’s future stability for generations to come.