The curriculum the during past twenty years was not perfect because of rampant corruption, political entanglement, and a project-based view of it. For instance, a huge disproportion existed between the content and forms of the books. To be exact, the contents were not as rich as the flamboyant pictures and titles or in some cases, books contained egregious spelling errors, and logical flow was missing from one class to the next. Some of the content in social science subjects were reflections of the ruling regime’s view which added only to the bulk of the book, and oftentimes was followed by discontent from users (teachers and students). Primary school curriculum was especially poor and the quality of education was staggeringly low in contrary to the rest of the world that emphasize on this crucial period and create conducive environment compatible with learning.
Despite all the shortcomings, the curriculum during the past twenty years was developing, and was open to feedback while cultural variety and political views of large group of people were included. Some people tried to enrich the curriculum using his/her experience from other parts of the world, some paid attention the history of curriculum since the past 100 years, while some inquisitive elements tried to include their ethnic agenda into the curriculum. Although these sporadic and scattered attempts in some cases were redundant, paradoxical, parallel, and had neutralizing effect but overall they left a positive effect on the curriculum. Face paradoxes is not a bad thing since it entices thinking and if the curriculum continued to be taught it had the potential to improve and ultimately catch up with the rest of the world.
One of the strengths of the previous curriculum was respect and recognition of women’s rights and the need for unity. People were encouraged to work hard, attain higher education and avoid extremism, have relations with other countries and understand the realities of the new world. But right now Taliban are on a mission to disassemble this curriculum. They close schools, propagate against civil rights, oppress teachers/ ignore their right and eliminate any part of the curriculum that does not fit their narrow worldview. Now it is up to our intellectuals, educated class, journalists, and politicians to use the documented reports; take up pens to enlighten people and let the world know about the detail of Taliban’s felony. Unity and Team work can be a drastic tool in turning Taliban’s fear of education into their Achilles heel.
After publishing this report, Hasht-e-Subh’s special page is a good point to start this national campaign. Many documents and analysis have been published and the content will become richer. We expect those who have access to media and the possibility to contact parliaments and policy-making institutions in different countries, to join this campaign by writing articles, reports, speak out, and lobby on any accessible platform they can.