KABUL, Afghanistan — Figures by the Taliban-run Ministry of Education show Taliban have constructed or renovated 26 religious schools across several provinces over the past three months, reflecting their continued focus on expanding Islamic education.
The schools, built or restored in October, November, and December, are located in provinces including Balkh, Paktia, Paktika, Sar-e-Pol, Kapisa, Farah, Badakhshan, Baghlan, Khost, and Ghazni, among others. The projects reportedly cost nearly 80 million Afghanis (over $1.1 million), according to ministry figures.
The data shows that 14 schools were constructed or renovated in October, followed by six each in November and December. Recent projects include:
Jami’a Al-Islamiyah Al-Mansuriyah in Mahmood Raqi, Kapisa.
Bibi Aisha Siddiqa Madrasa in Anar Dara, Farah.
Nu’man bin Thabit Madrasa in Pul-e-Khumri, Baghlan.
Noor-ul-Quran Madrasa in Khost Province.
Umar Farooq Madrasa in Khwaja Omari, Ghazni.
Dar-ul-Uloom Imam Abu Hanifa in Yafthil Payan, Badakhshan.
In the past month alone, the foundation stones for six additional schools were laid in Paktia, Paktika, Balkh, and Sar-e-Pol. Similar efforts occurred the previous month in Kapisa, Farah, Baghlan, Khost, Ghazni, and Badakhshan.
Criticism of religious focus
Some citizens have criticized the Taliban’s prioritization of religious schools over secular education. Critics argue that the focus on religious instruction reflects an agenda to indoctrinate youth, potentially preparing them for future conflict.
“Our country desperately needs modern education, but the Taliban have banned it and are instead building madrasas that serve as breeding grounds for extremism,” said Fatima, a Kabul resident.
Official Taliban data indicates there are now more than 21,000 religious schools across Afghanistan, with approximately three million students enrolled.
While Taliban have banned girls from attending schools beyond the sixth grade, they have kept religious schools open to female students of all ages, allowing them access to Islamic studies.
