RASC News Agency: The Taliban’s Ministry of Education has announced the establishment of 21,257 “Islamic and Jihadist Educational Centers” across Afghanistan. Officials from this ministry stated that a total of 3,687,200 students are currently enrolled in these institutions. The Taliban further reported that 18,337 public and private schools are operating nationwide. These Islamic educational centers comprise 1,669 madrassas, 1,207 Quran memorization centers (Dar-ul-Hifaz), 115 Islamic institutes (Dar-ul-Uloom), and 39 orphanages (Dar-ul-Aytam).
However, the officials did not clarify whether these religious institutions were established solely during their three years of rule or if the tally includes religious schools set up during the previous government. In a press conference on Wednesday, September 11, the Taliban’s Ministry of Education presented its annual report, noting that recruitment is underway for 100,000 positions within the Islamic education sector. According to the report, the ministry currently employs 389,200 individuals, of whom 241,121 are teachers, with the remaining personnel serving in administrative and support roles.
Additionally, the Taliban announced the establishment of 123 schools and 159 local educational facilities for nomadic children (Kuchis), with 41,824 Kuchi children enrolled. Notably, the officials provided no explanation regarding the ongoing closure of schools for girls. It is essential to highlight that one of the Taliban’s most significant initiatives has been the creation of hundreds of religious and jihadist training centers. Their objective is to cultivate one million radicalized and suicide-trained fighters. Once this phase of the project is completed, the Taliban intend to proceed with the next stage of their broader plan for Afghanistan.
