Afghan Fathers Struggle to Pay for Daughters Online Education Under Taliban Rule

Afghan parents are paying up to $1,500 annually for online courses to bypass the Taliban’s ban on female education, according to reporting by AFP. This cost represents a significant portion of household incomes for some families, as the government continues to prohibit girls from attending secondary schools and universities.

Afghanistan is currently the only country in the world where girls are banned from education after primary school, AFP reports. The Taliban government excluded girls from secondary education and universities in 2022, five years after returning to power. The United Nations estimates that at least one million girls have been directly affected by these secondary education restrictions.

While some Taliban officials have characterized the ban as temporary, the financial and legal risks for families seeking alternatives have increased. AFP reports that men who have advocated for universal education have been imprisoned, leading several parents to speak only under the condition of anonymity.

Cost of Online Education and Economic Barriers

The transition to digital learning has created a severe financial burden for Afghan families. Ahmad, a 40-year-old engineer and former employee of international organizations, told AFP that online courses cost approximately $1,500 per year. His annual salary is $2,400, making the tuition a prohibitive expense.

Ahmad’s wife, a mathematics teacher, is no longer permitted to teach under current restrictions. The couple has attempted to secure visas for Sweden, Denmark, and Germany to ensure their children’s education, but these requests were denied. Ahmad also reported that a visa process for the United States was underway until President Donald Trump froze all such petitions, according to AFP.

The lack of affordable alternatives has left some families facing the prospect of their children becoming illiterate. Ahmad told AFP that in the 21st century, completing only primary school is equivalent to being illiterate.

Clandestine Schools and Regional Restrictions

Beyond online options, some parents are turning to secret physical classrooms. Mohammad, a 42-year-old physician in Kabul province, told AFP he sought ways to circumvent the ban for his two daughters, aged 14 and 12. After finding home tutors too expensive and discovering that the land border with Pakistan was blocked due to conflict, he located a private clandestine school.

This underground institution teaches general subjects alongside religious programs, providing a covert alternative to the state-mandated restrictions. Mohammad told AFP that women are necessary for the development of the country and should not be restricted to the home.

Public Sentiment and Religious Justification

The Taliban government asserts that the education ban is an application of Islamic law. However, the parents interviewed by AFP, who identify as practicing Muslims, reject this justification. Mohammad told AFP that the Quran does not state that education is reserved for men.

Data from a 2025 UN Women survey indicates broad support for female education among Afghan men. The survey found that 95% of men in urban areas and 87% of men in rural areas believe it is important for girls to receive a secondary education.

The Taliban government did not respond to questions from AFP regarding these restrictions or the reported use of clandestine schools.