The Taliban say more than 20,000 religious schools, or madrasas, are currently operating across Afghanistan with around 2.5 million students enrolled in religious studies.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid shared these figures while speaking at a jihadi school in Kandahar, saying the authorities have given strong priority to religious and jihadi education since returning to power.
Mujahid also claimed that about 12 million students are studying modern subjects in schools and said the curriculum has been “reformed,” though he did not provide details.
Since taking control, the Taliban has focused on building and expanding religious schools, mosques and similar institutions across the country.
Human rights groups have raised serious concerns. The Afghanistan Human Rights Center has warned that the rapid spread of these schools could encourage extremism and negatively shape young minds.
The group says the Taliban have changed curricula and removed key subjects.
At the same time, girls remain banned from secondary schools and universities, a policy widely condemned worldwide.
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