The Kabul Tribune (KT) — As countries around the world marked World Teachers’ Day on Sunday to honor educators’ contributions, the Taliban banned any celebration of the occasion in Afghanistan.
In an official letter seen by The Kabul Tribune, the
Taliban’s Directorate of Education in Herat province ordered all public and
private schools not to hold ceremonies or events marking the day. The directive
also prohibited collecting money from students or teachers under any pretext,
warning that school principals would be held responsible for violations.
Sources told The Kabul Tribune that officials from the
Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice have been
patrolling schools to prevent any form of observance or commemoration.
World Teachers’ Day, celebrated annually on October 5, is
recognized internationally to highlight the vital role of teachers and their
impact on education and society. However, under Taliban rule, public
celebrations of such international observances have been increasingly
restricted.
Meanwhile, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai acknowledged
the day in a message on X (formerly Twitter), praising the country’s teachers —
particularly women — and urging that equal access to education be ensured for
all Afghans.
