The Taliban’s defence minister, Yaqoob Mujahid, urged Afghans at a gathering in Kandahar to ensure their children receive an education, even as the Taliban continue to bar girls from attending schools and universities.
Mujahid called on families to support both formal schooling and religious education for their children.
“We, as a system and an army, are at your service,” Yaqoob said. “Our request is that schools and madrasas have been built, you should support them and not leave your children without education. Teach them all forms of knowledge, whether modern or religious.”
The remarks come as the Taliban maintain sweeping restrictions on education for women and girls. Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have closed secondary schools and universities to girls and women across the country.
Over the past four years, Taliban have also issued verbal and written orders barring women and girls from attending medical institutes and, in some provinces, religious education centres.
The policies have drawn widespread condemnation from Afghan citizens, human rights groups and the international community, which have repeatedly called on the Taliban to reverse the bans.
Despite mounting pressure, the Taliban have so far shown no sign of changing their approach, and their authorities have often declined to comment publicly on the issue.
