Afghanistan’s nationwide university entrance exam, known as the Kankor, concluded this week without the participation of female students for the third consecutive year, highlighting the deepening exclusion of girls and women from public education under Taliban rule.
The 2025 exam was conducted in five phases across the country by the Taliban-run National Examination Authority. Taliban had barred girls from sitting the exam, continuing the policy introduced after their return to power in August 2021.
As the final phase concluded — coinciding with global observances of “World Hope Day” — tens of thousands of Afghan girls were once again left behind, locked out of classrooms and universities as their aspirations remain on hold.
The first three phases of the Kankor were held in the provinces, the fourth round in Kabul for general candidates, and the final stage for special applicants, including those living abroad, members of tribal communities, absentees from previous exams, religious seminary students, and evening class enrollees. Girls were excluded from all phases.
“I studied with hope and dreams,” said Sofia, a high school graduate who spoke on condition of partial anonymity. “Now I can only watch others take the exam. I hope one day the doors will reopen. Three years of my life have passed waiting for the chance to attend university.”
Zarghona, a medical graduate who completed seven years of study, said she is still waiting to take the exit exam required to begin practicing. “I’ve traveled from city to city just to study,” she said. “This country needs laws based on justice. Doors are closed to girls while boys take their exams freely.”
The Taliban have not released overall participation numbers for this year’s Kankor. However, in the first phase alone — held in 11 provinces — some 25,300 male students reportedly took part.
According to UNESCO, nearly 1.5 million girls have been excluded from education since the Taliban’s return. If current restrictions persist, the number of girls out of school in Afghanistan is projected to surpass 4 million by 2030.
