Taliban appointed minister voices concerns over poor quality of Afghan religious education

Habibullah Agha, the Taliban-appointed Acting Minister of Education in Afghanistan, recently voiced concerns about the diminishing standard of education in the country’s religious schools, as per sources.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of approximately 120 students from the 12th and 14th grades of Darul-Ulom Imam Abu Hanifa, Agha highlighted the surge in the number of religious schools in Afghanistan while acknowledging the improved accessibility and facilities provided to students in this realm.

However, Agha expressed apprehensions about the declining educational quality despite the increased accessibility. He remarked, “In my view, the quality of education is deteriorating day by day, despite education being more accessible now. There was a time when students couldn’t even find a book.”

In contrast, officials at Darul-Ulom Imam Abu Hanifa emphasized their commitment to enhancing the educational standards in religious schools. Abdulhai, the head of the institution, highlighted their curriculum, stating, “Our Darul Ulom not only teaches religious sciences but also contemporary subjects. Today, we witnessed the graduation of around 120 students who have studied both religious and contemporary sciences.”

Graduates from the 12th and 14th grades at Imam Abu Hanifa Darul-Ulom urged the Taliban to create employment opportunities within the country for them.

Official records indicate that approximately four thousand students are currently enrolled at Darul-Ulom Imam Abu Hanifa, where religious and modern sciences are taught.

The institution, established in the Bagrami district of Kabul province in the 1323rd solar year, continues to play a major role in Afghan education.