The report underscores the need for global action to mitigate its impacts. Without intervention, the consequences will be profound: a generation left uneducated, a weakened economy, and a society ill-prepared for the challenges of the modern world.
As Afghanistan grapples with a collapsing education system under Taliban rule, the plight of Afghan boys is becoming increasingly dire, according to a December 2023 report by Human Rights Watch titled “Schools Are Failing Boys Too: The Taliban’s Impact on Boys’ Education in Afghanistan.” While much of the global attention has rightly focused on the Taliban’s ban on secondary and higher education for girls, this report underscores that boys, too, are facing systemic barriers that could result in a “lost generation.”
Decline in Education Quality
Since taking over in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed sweeping changes to Afghanistan’s education system, significantly diminishing its quality. One of their most controversial moves was the dismissal of female teachers from boys’ schools, a decision rooted in their ultra-conservative interpretation of Islamic law. As a result, classrooms are increasingly staffed by unqualified male teachers or left teacher-less.
Parents have reported paying for private lessons in critical subjects such as physics and biology, as many schools no longer provide competent instruction. “The quality of education has drastically declined, and our sons are no longer learning anything meaningful,” one parent told Human Rights Watch.
The curriculum has been narrowed to emphasise Islamic studies, while key subjects like arts, sports, English, and civic education have been eliminated. The removal of these subjects deprives students of a well-rounded education and fails to prepare them for the modern workforce. “This kind of education is not equipping Afghan boys with the skills they need for the future,” the report notes.
The Impact of Corporal Punishment
Adding to these challenges is the pervasive use of corporal punishment in schools. Boys have reported being publicly beaten for minor infractions, such as wearing a hairstyle deemed inappropriate by Taliban officials or possessing a mobile phone.
“The punishments are humiliating and brutal. It feels like the school is more about control than learning,” said one student interviewed for the report. Such measures foster fear rather than discipline, further alienating children from the education system.
Economic Pressures and School Dropouts
Afghanistan’s humanitarian and economic crises have compounded these issues. With millions of families struggling to make ends meet, boys are increasingly being pulled out of school to work and support their households. This trend is particularly pronounced in rural areas, where economic opportunities are scarce and the cost of education – both in terms of time and money – is often seen as unaffordable.
The report highlights that education has become a lower priority for many families under these conditions. “My son had to leave school to help me sell goods at the market,” one father explained. “We cannot survive without his contribution.”
Mental Health Challenges
The cumulative stress of these changes – diminished education quality, corporal punishment, and economic pressures – is taking a toll on boys’ mental health. Anxiety and depression are on the rise among Afghan children, yet mental health services remain virtually non-existent.
Boys interviewed for the report described feeling hopeless about their futures. “I don’t see the point in studying anymore,” said one student. “There is no job for me, and everything feels pointless.”
A “Lost Generation”
Human Rights Watch warns that these policies and circumstances risk creating a “lost generation” of Afghan boys and girls. While boys are not explicitly barred from education as girls are, the barriers they face are equally detrimental. The report emphasises that Afghanistan’s development and stability hinge on educating its youth, regardless of gender.
“The Taliban’s actions are not only violating children’s rights to education but are also undermining the country’s future,” the report states. The systematic exclusion of female teachers and regressive curriculum changes also perpetuate harmful gender norms, reinforcing inequality at all levels of society.
Calls for International Action
The report concludes with a call to action for the international community. It urges governments, UN agencies, and NGOs to hold the Taliban accountable for their violations of children’s rights and to increase humanitarian aid targeting education.
Recommendations include reinstating female teachers, reforming the curriculum to include a broader range of subjects, and eliminating corporal punishment in schools. Moreover, the report calls for targeted programs to support families economically, ensuring that children are not forced to choose between education and survival.
“Education is a fundamental human right, and its denial is a tragedy not only for the children affected but for the entire nation of Afghanistan,” Human Rights Watch argues.
While the Taliban bears primary responsibility for the crisis, the report underscores the need for global action to mitigate its impacts. Without intervention, the consequences will be profound: a generation left uneducated, a weakened economy, and a society ill-prepared for the challenges of the modern world.
