KABUL (SW) – Following the recent political upheavals in Afghanistan and the restrictions imposed by the de-facto government on girls’ education, many families have sought alternative educational paths to support their daughters’ learning.
These families explain that, to make up for their daughters’ inability to attend regular schools, they have enrolled them in religious schools, online education programs, home-based classes, and even sent them abroad to continue their studies.
In this report, 23 families and 19 girls who are deprived of education have been interviewed, and all of them have opted for alternative educational methods.
The findings of this report show that 10 families have sent their daughters to religious schools, 7 families have chosen online schools, 4 families have opted for home-based classes, 1 family has sent their daughter to an art (painting) class, and another family has sent their daughter abroad to continue her education.
Zulaikha, a 35-year-old woman from Balkh, whose two daughters are deprived of education, says that after schools and universities were closed to girls, she had no choice but to send her daughters to a religious school.
“I had to send my daughters to a religious school so that at least their religious knowledge could increase. I want them to stay occupied and not fall behind in their studies. I hope that schools and universities will reopen, and my daughters will continue their studies,” she added.
Qurban Ali, a resident of Bamyan, whose two daughters have also been deprived of education, says that he chose to send his daughters to language learning, calligraphy and painting courses at his own expense.
Qurban Ali sees education as a valuable tool for empowerment and personal growth of girls. He says, “We are very worried; when schools were open, my daughters could study for free, but now I am sending them to courses and paying for them. If private courses are also closed, we will be forced to leave the country.”
Similarly, Hawa, a 29-year-old mother from Kapisa, stated that after the closure of schools, one of her daughters faced serious psychological challenges. To help her daughters overcome depression, she chose an online school and enrolled them.
“After the schools closed, we really went through difficult days. One of my daughters became depressed and spent 18 days in a hospital in Kabul. But we didn’t give up. Later, I realized that many online schools were created for girls, so I enrolled both of my daughters in online schools, and they are still studying.”
In addition, some families have sent their daughters abroad to continue their studies due to the restrictions on girls’ education in the country.
Forozan, a mother from Badghis province whose daughter is now studying abroad, says, “After the schools closed, we used online courses for their education. Since they were in high school, they needed to complete grades 11 and 12, so I decided to send them abroad to continue their studies.”
Out of the 23 families interviewed for this report, 19 have said that if the schools and universities remain closed to girls, they have no choice but to migrate. Paimana, a mother from Jowzjan province, says: “If these restrictions continue, we will be forced to migrate to foreign countries to secure our children’s future and help them achieve their dreams.”
At the same time, the 19 girls featured in this report, including 6 university students and 13 schoolgirls, say that despite the difficulties and obstacles created by the closure of schools and universities, as well as economic challenges, they have embraced alternative educational paths.
Samea, a school student, says: “Since our schools closed, I’ve been busy with drawing and attending madrasa. My mother supports me, but my father is no longer alive. My mother isn’t financially well enough to support me fully.”
Another girl Shamayel who has been deprived of attending university, also shared her plight: “I was in the second year of university. Unfortunately, I couldn’t continue my education. I feel bad because my male classmates have graduated while I’m still stuck at the same level. Instead of studying at university, I’m currently only learning English language.”
Meanwhile, Jamaluddin Sulaimani, an education expert, emphasizes the importance of girls’ education but says that alternative educational methods, especially online education, cannot completely replace formal in-person education.
“Unfortunately, this is currently a crisis. It’s good that girls get at least basic literacy, but this doesn’t compare to the education they used to receive in formal schools,” he argued.
Forozan Dawoodzai, a women’s rights activist, also states that the lack of educational opportunities for girls in Afghanistan means paralyzing the entire society. She adds that an educated woman is the foundation of an educated family and society. “Education for women has a greater impact on society. When we educate a woman, we are leading a society toward light.”
Previously, Neda Mohammad Nadim, the acting Minister of Higher Education under the de-facto government of the Islamic Emirate, stated in a media briefing in September 2024, that no questions should be asked regarding girls’ education until further notice. “The short answer to this issue is that education is suspended until further notice, and the question about it will also be suspended until further notice.”
The status of reopening schools and universities for girls remains uncertain, while the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), announced on August 2024, that 1.4 million Afghan girls have been “deliberately” deprived of education. Furthermore, access to primary education has sharply declined, with 1.1 million boys and girls attending school less than before.
