Although it has always been a focus of reform and development, Afghanistan’s educational system has experienced previously unheard-of difficulties since the Taliban took back power in 2021. Concerns regarding the future of education in the nation have been raised due to the Taliban’s extensive curriculum revisions and the exclusion of women and minorities. These regulations not only limit access to information but also go against the fundamental ideas of equality and inclusivity.
To explore the current state of education in Afghanistan and the implications for society, DevelopmentAid interviewed Dr. Sardar Mohammad Rahimi, a seasoned educator and geopolitics expert. Dr. Rahimi served as Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Education from 2016 to 2021 and is the author of two influential books on Afghanistan’s geopolitics. Now in exile, he works as a researcher and visiting professor at Inalco University in Paris, where he continues to advocate for educational reforms and equitable access to learning.
In this interview, Dr. Rahimi clarifies the Taliban’s educational programs, their effects on Afghan society, and the immediate need for foreign assistance. From the difficulties that underprivileged groups experience to the possibility of online learning as a lifeline for Afghan students, Dr. Rahimi presents a thorough examination of the situation and the way forward.
DevelopmentAid: How has your journey from Deputy Minister of Education in Afghanistan to your current role in exile shaped your perspective on the educational challenges under Taliban rule?
Dr. Rahimi: I am currently working as a visiting professor and researcher at Inalco University in Paris, and I feel that the educational conditions of Afghanistan under the control of the Taliban have worsened compared to the outside world, especially Europe, where education is considered to be one of the fundamental rights of the people.
DevelopmentAid: What are the most significant changes the Taliban have made to the education system, and what long-term implications do these have for Afghan society?
Dr. Rahimi: The Taliban have removed subjects related to civil education, human rights, women’s rights, and art from the education curriculum, and this means that in the best hypothetical case, we will have students who do not have a friendly and peaceful view of themselves and society and who are in conflict with themselves and the world.
DevelopmentAid: How do the Taliban’s policies, including the shift towards Madrassa education and the restrictions on women and minorities, impact the quality and inclusivity of learning in Afghanistan?
Dr. Rahimi: Eliminating women and banning education for girls has caused a lack of motivation in students and the loss of some quality female professors in education, and in general, it has caused a decline in the quality of education, including a decrease in the number of students, a decrease in learning, and a rise in student dropouts especially now that they feel that education cannot guarantee their future.
DevelopmentAid: What barriers do girls, particularly those with disabilities, face in accessing education, and how will these restrictions shape their future opportunities?
Dr. Rahimi: The deprivation of education for girls in general and disabled girls will cause disappointment and a loss of human resources in the country. Education is the only way that some disabled people can imagine a bright future for themselves but these opportunities are now lost.
DevelopmentAid: How will the replacement of experienced educators with Madrasa graduates and the exodus of intellectuals affect the future of Afghanistan’s education system?
Dr. Rahimi: The goal of the Taliban is to isolate the educational system of Afghanistan and eliminate the advantage of education compared to religious schools. For this reason, the replacement of experienced teachers with clerics instead has caused people to distrust the education system, and the Taliban is gradually bringing people’s tastes closer to religious and jihadist schools.
DevelopmentAid: You have advocated for online education as a solution. What strategies or technologies could best ensure access for Afghan children, especially girls?
Dr. Rahimi: With the advances in technology and access to satellite internet, there will be no obstacles to girls’ education. The problem here is that the issue of online education for girls has not yet become the basis of an international mega-plan which will consider both how to train and the agreed system and its accreditation through international organizations such as UNICEF or UNESCO.
DevelopmentAid: What promising initiatives are currently providing educational support in Afghanistan, and how can these be scaled or improved?
Dr. Rahimi: Currently, there are limited and scattered online education initiatives in Afghanistan, but there is a problem in coordinating and accrediting these; that is why there is a need for extensive coordination with the main United Nations institutions, such as UNESCO and UNICEF, to advance the program and accredit it.
DevelopmentAid: How can the international community effectively support education in Afghanistan despite the Taliban’s restrictive policies?
Dr. Rahimi: The international community still hopes for the Taliban to talk and change its educational policy but the main problem is that time passes quickly, and four years have already elapsed since students were first deprived of education. Therefore, in addition to putting pressure on the Taliban, alternative programs such as online education should be starting with a high level of coordination.
DevelopmentAid: Do you see any potential avenues for resistance or reform within the current system to safeguard education for future generations?
Dr. Rahimi: Yes, the Islamic countries and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Al-Azhar of Egypt, and other Islamic countries have good capacity to put pressure on the Taliban to allow education for Afghan girls and women with the understanding of Sharia restrictions, but unfortunately this capacity has not yet been used.
DevelopmentAid: What message would you like to convey to the global audience about the urgent need for educational support in Afghanistan?
Dr. Rahimi: Instead of the world waiting for a change in the educational policies of the Taliban regime, they should start coordinated efforts for the provision of alternative education, such as online education with self-education in Afghanistan. The advancement of these programs will automatically make the Taliban fail in their strategies and force them to change their educational policies.
