The Taliban face allegations of recruiting soldiers and propagating their ideology within religious schools known as madrasas. Following their takeover of Afghanistan, the group has actively established these religious institutions, a move criticized by many citizens for promoting extremism and Islamic fundamentalism. Meanwhile, the condition of conventional schools has deteriorated significantly over the past two and a half years, prompting numerous capable students to abandon their studies. Despite this, reports from Farah province indicate a significant increase in the number of students attending Taliban-affiliated madrasas, currently totaling nearly 50,000 individuals. The province is reported to host 500 religious schools and 419 modern schools.
Findings from the Hasht-e Subh Daily in the Farah province indicate an unprecedented increase in the number of religious schools in the region. According to available information, the Taliban have extensively established madrasas in this province over the past two and a half years.
Statistics provided by credible sources, as reported by the Hasht-e Subh Daily, indicate that over 500 religious schools are active in this province, with nearly 50,000 students immersed in religious teachings.
Informed sources in Farah province confirm that 70 to 80 percent of these religious schools in the province have been established in the past two years, and this group continues its madrasa-building efforts. According to sources, over the past two years, dozens of individuals have graduated from religious schools in Farah and aligned themselves with the Taliban.
A reliable source states, “The number of schools has increased. In Farah, the number of religious schools has surpassed that of regular modern schools because, since the arrival of the Taliban, everyone has been building their madrasas. Currently, in this province, there are 500 public and private religious schools with over 45,000 students.”
The source adds, “In addition to boys’ religious schools, there are 24 girls’ religious schools with 2,500 girls studying in them, while the number of active regular modern schools in Farah province is approximately 419.”
This is happening while, according to sources, private religious schools are established by Taliban commanders or supporters of this group. According to claims, Taliban commanders forcefully collect money from the people, using threats and weapon intimidation, to build and strengthen these religious schools.
A source on the matter states, “The increase in number of these madrasas is attributed to the Taliban’s return to power, whereas in the past, around 20 percent of the current religious schools were active here. The private madrasas are mostly affiliated with Taliban commanders or local clerics from the same ethnic background as the commander of the Taliban.”
The source adds that the Taliban forcibly collect funds for the operation of these religious schools, especially from the merchants. He emphasizes, “Commanders or madrasa clerics would call the merchants, demanding support for the madrasas, claiming that the students of these religious schools are hungry. Merchants or businessmen are compelled to contribute, ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 Afghanis. There have been instances where they have called merchants from other provinces, urging them to support the religious schools, and they have forcibly complied.”
Sources express concerns about the increasing number of religious schools in Farah province, as over 400 students graduated from these schools during the past week. According to sources, Taliban commanders attended the graduation ceremonies and encouraged the students. The source adds that out of all the graduated students, 32 girls were also included from 16 madrasas in this province.
The source states, “Only from January 12 to 14 of this year, a total of 419 individuals graduated from religious schools in Farah. Among them, 307 individuals, including 32 girls from 16 religious schools in central Farah, 18 from Darul Uloom Al-Sharia School in Nangabad village, Khaki Safed district, 60 from Al-Israa School in Gajgin village, Pasht-e-Rood district, 28 from 9 religious schools in Farahrud district, and another 45 individuals, including 5 girls, from 6 religious schools in central Farah have completed their studies.”
In the latest development, the Taliban have announced that they will confer a master’s degree document to graduates of religious schools. The ministries of higher education and education, under the control of this group and in coordination with the leadership of Taliban’s Jihadist schools, have initiated the process of conducting exams for graduates of religious schools across the country.
The group has stated that they plan to administer exams to approximately 50,000 graduates from religious schools in 34 provinces. The examination process will start on January 20, 2024, and will continue for one week.
The Taliban have declared that this examination will be held for the categories of “Aalamiya, Aaliya, and Khaamisya.” According to information, individuals who complete the “Aalamiya” course will be awarded a master’s degree document, those completing the “Aaliya” course will receive a bachelor’s degree document, and those finishing the “Khaamisya” course will be granted a completion certificate from grade 12.
Previously, the Taliban Ministry of Education had announced that Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader of the group, had established and approved 100,000 positions for religious schools in Afghanistan.
