Simultaneously with the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, a number of victims of attacks on educational institutions in Kabul and their families say they are still suffering from the consequences of these attacks.
Yasin, whose daughter was injured in the arm in an explosion nearly a month ago at Sham-e Hedayat School in Kabul’s Dasht-e Barchi area, says her daughter has not yet recovered and is unable to do some tasks.
“I was at work when I heard about it. I went there as soon as I could. The first car that arrived was a Corolla carrying injured people. My daughter was in the sixth car. Her elbow was bleeding, and there was blood behind her knee and on her leg. Her fractured arm is still in a cast,” he says.
Mohammad Mustafa Amini, a student who was injured in the 2022 attack on the Kaaj Educational Center in Kabul, says a piece of shrapnel is still remains in his leg and that he continues to live with the pain caused by the attack.
“I was injured in my leg, back and left ear. It was a very difficult situation. Everyone suffered psychological trauma after the incident. I also passed the Kankor exam, but I was psychologically affected,” he says.
Kabul University, one of Afghanistan’s largest educational institutions, was also the site of one of the country’s deadliest attacks in 2020, in which a number of students were killed and injured.
Tahmina, who was studying public administration and public policy at Kabul University when the attack took place and was injured in the incident, says,
“They entered the classroom and opened fire. Four bullets hit me, but I did not lose consciousness. I saw everything that happened during those two hours. The attacker entered our classroom three times, but in the end, he threw a hand grenade. The voices of our classmates became very quiet, and several bullets hit my back and leg.”
Meanwhile, officials from the Ministry of Education of the Islamic Emirate say the ministry is committed to protecting schools, universities and religious schools in Afghanistan. Zabiullah Hemat, a spokesperson for the ministry, says,
“Since the Islamic Emirate came to power, nationwide security has been ensured. Unfortunately, there have been bombings in some areas along the Durand Line in certain provinces, which damaged a number of educational centers, universities and madrasas. However, the Ministry of Education has taken steps to rebuild and repair these facilities.”
According to figures provided by the United Nations, more than 8,500 attacks against schools, students and teachers have been carried out around the world over the past two years.
On the other hand, Mahbubullah Moahed, an education expert, says,
“Today, security at schools in many areas is better than it was in the past. Protecting education in Afghanistan means ensuring that no child or adolescent is deprived of education, that education is not sacrificed because of circumstances, that the mental well-being of teachers and students is given attention, and that the quality of education, resources and capacity are prioritized by society.”
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has also announced that 1,680 attacks against schools were recorded in 2025, a 33 percent increase from the previous year. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also said on the occasion of the day that more than 1,600 attacks against schools worldwide were verified and recorded in 2025.
Reporter: Khadija Kohistani
