While the Taliban have not banned boys from attending school, their restrictions on women have severely disrupted education for all Afghan children. Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban reinstated the prohibition on girls attending secondary school in September 2021 and extended the ban to women at universities in December 2022.
These measures, combined with the dismissal of female teachers following the ban on women’s employment and the appointment of unqualified male replacements, have worsened the country’s already fragile education system.
Earlier this year, a video showing a boy violently beaten by his madrassa teacher in Kandahar for writing “13” instead of “31” went viral, highlighting the rise of corporal punishment and unsafe learning conditions that continue to put students at serious educational and psychological risk.
In schools, madrassas, and informal learning centers, children — particularly young boys — are often subjected to forced learning and corporal punishment. Students report that the use of physical punishment, humiliation, and fear has increased since the Taliban returned to power. These practices violate international child-rights standards and prevent children from learning in a safe and supportive environment.
Human Rights Watch reports that the Taliban government’s policies have intensified these challenges, further undermining the quality and accessibility of education.
Parents admit that abuse is routine but feel powerless to act. Mohammad Saleem, a resident of Helmand province, said his two children attend the only functioning madrassa in their area. “They’ve complained many times about being beaten, but I haven’t discussed it with the teachers. If I complain, things may get worse. People here believe children must learn through force. If I don’t accept it, I would have to pull them out of school,” Saleem told The Afghan Times.
In Kandahar’s Nesh district, Sayed Rahim said his 10-year-old son became terrified of school after being severely beaten for not completing homework. “I fear this experience may drive him away from education entirely,” Rahim said.
Ahmed Zia, a grade 10 student in Kandahar, say that he is routinely punished for failing to memorize lessons. “My teacher beats me every time I struggle. It makes me feel hopeless. Forced learning is impossible — teachers need better ways to encourage us,” he said.
Taliban Policies and the Dismissal of Female Teachers
An education expert from Kabul, speaking anonymously, said the Taliban’s return to power has worsened the situation. “The dismissal of female teachers has left many schools understaffed or reliant on unqualified male replacements, particularly for technical and science subjects,” he added.
Veteran teachers note that many newly appointed educators lack professional training, including knowledge of child psychology and modern teaching methods.
A teacher at Ahmadshahi High School in Kandahar, speaking anonymously for security reasons, said, “Forced learning and beating children is neither legal nor religiously acceptable. Many untrained teachers don’t know how to teach properly, turning students’ fear into a barrier to learning. The Taliban’s policies have worsened the problem, and professional teacher training is urgently needed.”
Students report that the absence of qualified teachers has led to incomplete lessons, reduced subject coverage, and reliance on self-study. Muhammad, a grade 10 student in Kabul, said, “Out of 14 subjects, we only have teachers for 7. We seriously miss our female teachers. We have no choice but to take private classes, which many families cannot afford.”
Sadiq, a grade 11 student, added, “A person who has no knowledge and expertise is brought to teach us physics and chemistry. We cannot prepare for university exams with such illiterate teachers.”
Curriculum Changes and Indoctrination
Students and parents report that Taliban-appointed school administrators have prioritized religious instruction over core academic subjects, removing arts, civic education, and cultural studies.
Students say new rules focus on moral values, dress codes, and the enforcement of Taliban ideology, rather than providing a balanced education.
Ahmed, a student in Parwan province, said, “I don’t understand the difference between my school and our local mosque anymore. We are lacking professional teachers who taught us important subjects such as physics, computer science, and chemistry.”
Mental Health Consequences and Declining Attendance
The combined effects of corporal punishment, forced learning, curriculum changes, and unqualified teachers have left many children traumatized. Boys report anxiety, distress, and hopelessness.
Several families said that economic hardship and poor school conditions have forced children to leave school or seek work abroad.
Abdullah, a 16-year-old in Panjshir, said, “Most boys have either dropped out of school for work inside the country or crossed the border illegally to Iran or Pakistan. If this continues, our schools will shut down too.”
