A Typical School Day In Afghanistan: Duration And Structure

Afghanistan's education system has been devastated by over three decades of conflict. The country's academic year, which runs from March to January, includes two semesters. Before the Taliban takeover, the number of instructional days per year in lower secondary education ranged from 200 to 230. However, the specific duration of the school day in Afghanistan is unclear. The focus of attention has been on improving access to education, particularly for girls, and addressing issues such as a lack of schools and qualified teachers.

The impact of the Taliban regime on school days

The Taliban regime's impact on school days in Afghanistan has been profound and far-reaching, with the most vulnerable being young girls who have been banned from accessing secondary education. This ban has been justified as temporary by Taliban officials, who claim that they are working to ensure consistency with 'Islamic values' in uniforms and curricula. However, this decision has isolated Afghanistan as the only state where girls and women are denied secondary schooling.

The Taliban's interpretation of Sharia law has been extremely conservative, and their educational policies have been driven by a desire to restore 'Islamic values' and combat 'western and infidel thoughts'. The regime's first decision to prohibit secondary education for girls in 2021 set a regressive tone, with Mullah Omar, the group's founder, issuing a decree in 1996 that temporarily halted girls' education due to safety concerns. This decree remained in place for five years, and under the Taliban's rule from 2021 onwards, girls have once again been denied access to secondary schools.

The Taliban's educational policies have not only targeted girls but have also inflicted harm on boys' education. The prohibition of female teachers has resulted in boys being taught by unqualified male teachers or having no teachers at all. Corporal punishment has become more prevalent, and the curriculum has been revised to remove important subjects like art, sports, English, and civic education. The educational rights of both boys and girls are being violated, and the overall quality of education is suffering.

The consequences of these policies are dire, with Afghanistan's education system suffering irreversible damage. The loss of female teachers has disrupted boys' education, and the revised curriculum focuses on moral values, dress codes, and hairstyles rather than academic subjects. The situation is further exacerbated by economic and humanitarian crises, causing a decline in school attendance as families struggle to meet basic needs.

The Taliban's actions have caused international outrage and condemnation. The United Nations and other countries have called for an end to the ban on girls' and women's education, and there have been protests within Afghanistan itself. The international community's response has included statements of condemnation and the cancellation of side meetings with the Taliban. However, the future of education in Afghanistan remains uncertain, with the Taliban showing little sign of reversing their policies.

Girls' access to education

Prior to the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan had made significant strides in improving girls' access to education. Between 2001 and 2018, the number of girls in higher education increased from around 5,000 to approximately 90,000. However, girls still lagged behind boys in terms of educational opportunities and enrollment rates. Cultural and societal norms, as well as a lack of female teachers, particularly in rural areas, contributed to lower enrollment rates among girls.

The Taliban's restrictions on girls' education have had a devastating impact, with millions of girls being deprived of their right to education. The group has provided various justifications for its decisions, including the need to implement a curriculum that aligns with their interpretation of Islamic law and cultural traditions. They have also cited the lack of female teachers as a reason for their policies, stating that girls should only be taught by women.

The consequences of these policies are far-reaching. Girls and women are being deprived of their dignity, rights, and opportunities for personal growth and professional advancement. The lack of access to education will also have long-term economic implications, as educated women contribute to the development and progress of their communities and the country as a whole.

Various organizations, such as UNICEF and Human Rights Watch, have been advocating for girls' right to education and proposing strategies to support and improve access. These include funding education without discriminating against girls, supporting communities that fight for girls' education, protecting Afghans who defend the right to education, and closely monitoring access to education to ensure that girls are not excluded.

Despite some provinces allowing girls' schools to remain open, the overall situation remains dire. The international community's response to the Taliban's policies has been limited, and there is a growing sense of despair among Afghan girls and women. The future of girls' education in Afghanistan hangs in the balance, with the Taliban's ideology and interpretation of Islamic law playing a pivotal role in determining the outcome.

Religious schools as the only option for girls

Girls' access to education in Afghanistan has been a pressing issue for many years, with the country's education system suffering from more than three decades of sustained conflict. The situation has become particularly dire since the Taliban's takeover in 2021, with the group enforcing restrictions on girls' education beyond the sixth grade, including at the university level. This has effectively left religious schools as the only option for girls seeking to continue their education.

In March 2023, the new Afghan school year began with calls from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other organizations for all girls to be allowed back into classrooms. While primary schools for girls have remained open, most high schools have been closed to them, and the Taliban barred female students from university education in December 2022, sparking international outcry and protests. As a result, enrolment at female religious schools, or madrassas, has increased over the past year.

Madrassas have traditionally been boys-only institutions, but a Taliban official confirmed in December 2023 that Afghan girls of all ages are permitted to study in these religious schools. Mansor Ahmad, a spokesman at the Education Ministry in Kabul, stated that there are no age restrictions for girls at government-controlled madrassas, as long as they are in a class appropriate to their age. Privately run madrassas also have no age restrictions and accept females of all ages. However, it is unclear what constitutes a madrassa, whether there is a standardized curriculum that includes modern education subjects, and how many girls are able to study in these schools.

The Taliban's ban on girls' education beyond the sixth grade has been widely condemned by the international community, and there are internal fractures within the Taliban on this issue. Some Taliban officials are reportedly supportive of reversing the ban, and there have been proposals to utilize madrassas as alternative avenues for girls' education. However, critics argue that religious institutions cannot compensate for the lost access to formal secondary education and do not provide the same educational scope and future opportunities.

The lack of access to education for girls in Afghanistan has far-reaching consequences. It is estimated that 3.7 million children are out of school in the country, with 60% of them being girls. Insecurity, traditional norms and practices related to girls' and women's roles, and a lack of female teachers contribute to low enrolment rates for girls. Additionally, many schools lack proper sanitation facilities, and certain sociocultural factors and beliefs further hinder girls' education.

The number of instructional days in lower secondary education

Afghanistan's education system has been devastated by over three decades of sustained conflict. The country's academic year, which runs from March to January, is divided into two semesters. The number of instructional days in lower secondary education in Afghanistan was between 200 and 230 days per year prior to the Taliban takeover. However, it is important to note that the availability of education in Afghanistan, particularly for girls, has been inconsistent and often limited.

In recent years, there have been significant efforts to improve access to education in Afghanistan, especially for girls. Before the Taliban takeover in 2021, there were nearly 10 million students and 220,000 teachers in the country. However, the Taliban's policies have had a detrimental impact on educational access, especially for female students. Soon after taking power, the Taliban banned girls from secondary education, and in December 2022, they prohibited women from attending universities, sparking protests and international condemnation.

Despite these setbacks, some provinces in Afghanistan continue to allow secondary education for girls, and there have been calls for all girls to be allowed back to school. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has played a crucial role in promoting education in Afghanistan, particularly during the Taliban years when girls were forbidden to attend school. UNICEF has been working to increase enrolment and retention, especially among vulnerable children and girls, by supporting the formal school system and the government's Community-Based Education (CBE) programme.

The lack of schools and insufficient transportation are major obstacles to education in Afghanistan, particularly in rural and remote areas. In addition, the country faces a shortage of qualified teachers, with only 48% possessing the minimum academic qualifications. Socio-cultural factors, traditional beliefs, and practices related to the role of women and girls in society also hinder girls' enrolment. Furthermore, the ongoing socio-political and humanitarian crises in Afghanistan critically affect the fragile education system, and natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and landslides exacerbate the situation.

The socio-cultural factors that affect girls' education

Afghanistan's education system has been devastated by over three decades of conflict. In recent years, the country has made progress in raising school enrolment, but girls' education continues to face significant challenges. Here are some of the key socio-cultural factors that affect girls' education in Afghanistan:

Insecurity and Traditional Gender Norms

Socio-cultural norms and traditional gender norms pose significant challenges to girls' education in Afghanistan. In a male-dominated society, girls' access to schooling is often trivialised and limited. Insecurity, poverty, and a lack of girls' schools are issues, but the predominant rigid cultural norms present the most substantial barrier. These norms include child marriage, resistance to co-education, and gender stereotypes that favour boys' education. Many families prioritise boys' education, believing that girls are destined to be homemakers. This mindset persists despite evidence that providing equal opportunities in education and other spheres would benefit both sexes.

Shortage of Female Teachers

A shortage of female teachers, especially in rural areas, is a significant obstacle to girls' education. Only 16% of Afghanistan's schools are girls-only, and many families, especially in conservative areas, do not allow their daughters to be taught by male instructors. This often results in girls being unable to attend school. Additionally, the lack of female teachers as role models may further reduce girls' motivation to pursue education.

Inadequate School Infrastructure

Inadequate school infrastructure, including a lack of proper sanitation facilities, hinders girls' attendance. About 41% of schools have no buildings, and many lack boundary walls, water, and toilets, which disproportionately affects girls, especially as they reach puberty and begin menstruation.

Early and Forced Marriage

Early and forced marriage is a prevalent issue in Afghanistan, with 17% of girls marrying before their 15th birthday. Marriage often leads to girls dropping out of school, as families and societal expectations prioritise domestic responsibilities over education.

Exclusion of Sexually Abused Girls

Girls in Afghanistan face a high risk of sexual abuse, including abduction and harassment, on their way to school. This has led to many families keeping their daughters at home to protect their "honour" and avoid social stigmatisation. As a result, sexual abuse and the associated social taboos become another barrier to girls' education.

Resistance to Co-education

Resistance to co-education is prevalent in Afghanistan, with many families refusing to send their daughters to co-ed schools or allowing them to be taught by male instructors. This resistance is particularly strong in conservative and traditional communities and poses a significant challenge to girls' access to education.

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