Thousands of Afghan schoolchildren and university students have been unable to attend online classes after the Taliban cut internet services in several provinces, sources said Tuesday.
A female student told Afghanistan International that the shutdown had effectively closed the last remaining door to education for girls. “With the internet cut, the Taliban has also shut online schools for us,” she said.
The head of an online school reported that dozens of teachers and students across Afghanistan failed to log into their classes. Hazrat Wahrez, who runs one such school, wrote on Facebook that “just today, dozens of students, teachers and learners I know from at least three provinces, including Kandahar, could not attend their online lessons.”
The disruption follows the Taliban’s decision to block fibre optic and Wi-Fi internet in Kandahar, Uruzgan, Helmand, Nimroz and Balkh provinces, with sources saying the restrictions will soon extend to more regions.
Since the Taliban returned to power, schools above grade six and universities have been closed to female students. According to United Nations figures, nearly 3 million girls have been barred from education. Many turned to online schools and universities to continue their studies.
Former Education Ministry spokesperson Noria Nezhat wrote on Facebook that “the internet is the last tool Afghan girls have to continue their studies,” warning that the restrictions would most severely impact those already denied access to classrooms.
Experts say the Taliban’s internet shutdown may provide short-term control over the flow of information but will cause long-term harm to education, the economy and technological development.
