KABUL — The Taliban’s Ministry of Education announced Thursday that large-scale “jihadi” religious schools, each with a capacity of 1,000 students, are now operational in all 34 provinces of the country.
The ministry’s statement, issued to mark the start of the new academic year, also said that 44,000 schools and religious madrassas across the country are providing education to at least 10 million students, taught by 250,000 teachers.
“In the past (solar) year (March 2024 to March 2025), 44,000 schools and madrassas were operational across the country, with nearly 250,000 teachers instructing over 10 million students,” the statement read. “In 34 provinces, large-scale jihadi madrassas with a capacity of 1,000 students each are active. Additionally, 420 districts now have 50-student boarding madrassas, while 53 boarding schools with a capacity of 200 students each are set to open soon.”
The new school year begins as girls above sixth grade remain banned from attending school, marking the fourth consecutive year of Taliban-imposed restrictions on female education.
Since their return to power in August 2021, the Taliban have significantly reshaped Afghanistan’s education system, expanding religious instruction while shutting out girls from secondary schools and universities. The policies have drawn global condemnation, with the United Nations and human rights groups calling on the Taliban to reverse their bans.
Despite international pressure, the Taliban have doubled down on their restrictions, prioritizing religious and ideological education while curtailing access to modern academic subjects.
