Five years since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, the nation's higher education system is described by students as being systematically dismantled, even for male pupils who are permitted to attend. Reports from across the country detail a landscape where academic rigour has been replaced by religious indoctrination, physical discipline, and a significant decline in teaching quality. This comes as female students remain entirely barred from universities, a ban that has been in place since late 2022.
Male students, such as Hashmat* at Kabul University, now face stringent regulations including mandatory beard growth and traditional Afghan attire. Failure to comply can result in physical punishment; Hashmat recounted witnessing a classmate beaten for wearing trousers. Beyond appearance, students are compelled to attend daily religious lectures and prayers, sometimes for up to two hours, often at the expense of their scheduled academic courses. These sessions, focused on Islam, conduct, and obedience, are not optional, leading to concerns that the true purpose of higher education is being eroded.
The quality of instruction has also plummeted, according to accounts from over 20 students across seven Afghan provinces. Many experienced professors have either fled the country, ceased teaching, or been dismissed, with their positions filled by ideologically aligned individuals or, in some cases, recent graduates and even undergraduates. Students describe lecturers struggling with basic technology, reading from outdated notes, and being unable to answer questions beyond pre-written material, leaving pupils feeling as though they are back in high school rather than university.
This systemic weakening extends to the very essence of academic inquiry. Students lament the disappearance of debate and critical questioning from classrooms, with one student, Qader*, stating, “We are expected to listen, not to question.” The environment now feels more akin to a madrassa, where curiosity is stifled and silence is enforced. Journalism students, for example, are taught about the modern world by instructors who reportedly lack fundamental understanding of the digital tools and technologies central to the field.
The impact on enrolment figures underscores the severity of the crisis. According to UNESCO, male enrolment in Afghanistan's higher education sector fell from 310,369 in 2019 to 188,957 in 2024. While universities may outwardly appear operational with male students attending and degrees being issued, the internal structure and educational content have been significantly hollowed out. A former Kabul University professor, speaking anonymously due to fear of reprisal, confirmed these student accounts, highlighting the profound weakening of institutions still expected to produce graduates.