Taliban’s new smartphone ban in Afghan schools signals a growing rejection of Western technology as the regime tightens its grip on Islamic education in the country.
Key Takeaways
- Taliban authorities in Kandahar have banned smartphones in all schools, affecting students, teachers, and staff
- The ban is justified as enforcing Islamic sharia law and protecting future generations from corruption
- Officials claim the policy will improve educational discipline and focus on studies
- Critics worry this is part of broader restrictions on education, particularly impacting girls who are already barred from secondary education
- The move reflects the Taliban’s growing campaign to reduce Western technological influence across Afghanistan
Taliban Implements Strict Smartphone Ban in Schools
The Taliban regime has implemented a comprehensive smartphone ban in schools across Kandahar province, Afghanistan’s southern region considered the heartland of the movement. This new restriction affects not only students but extends to teachers and administrative staff in both regular schools and religious madrassas. The provincial Education Department’s directive cites the need to create a more focused learning environment in accordance with strict Islamic principles, demonstrating the regime’s continued efforts to reshape Afghan society away from Western influences following their return to power.
“This decision has been made to ensure educational discipline and focus,” stated the provincial Education Department.
Taliban officials have framed the decision within their interpretation of Islamic law, explaining that the ban was necessary from a “sharia perspective” to prevent what they describe as “the destruction of the future generation.” The policy has already been fully implemented, with students reporting immediate changes in their school environments. This measure reflects the Taliban’s broader concerns about the influence of modern technology on Afghanistan’s youth and their determination to enforce conservative Islamic values throughout the educational system.
Mixed Reactions from Students and Educators
The smartphone ban has generated diverse responses within Afghanistan’s educational community. Some students and teachers view the restriction positively, seeing smartphones as a distraction in the classroom. “We did not bring smartphones with us to school today,” said Saeed Ahmad, a student affected by the new policy. “I think this is a good decision so that there is more focus on studies,” he added, reflecting a sentiment shared by others who believe removing digital distractions could improve educational outcomes.
“The teachers are saying if anyone is seen bringing a phone, they will start searching the students,” stated Mohammad Anwar.
Critics of the ban, however, point to concerning implications, particularly for female education in Afghanistan. With girls already barred from secondary and higher education under Taliban rule, this additional restriction further limits their educational opportunities and access to information. The ban represents another step in the systematic dismantling of educational freedoms that had been established during the previous government, reinforcing the regime’s rejection of modern educational approaches in favor of strictly controlled religious instruction.
Part of Broader Technology Restrictions
The smartphone ban in schools is not an isolated policy but part of a comprehensive campaign by the Taliban to limit the influence of modern technology throughout Afghan society. The regime has already implemented other restrictive measures, including prohibiting images of living beings in media and encouraging officials to reduce their use of smartphones and messaging applications. These policies reflect the leadership’s growing concern about the impact of digital communication on maintaining their version of an Islamic society.
Taliban officials themselves are increasingly abandoning smartphones in favor of basic “brick phones” that offer limited functionality beyond calls and text messages. The Taliban’s Supreme Leader has explicitly urged government officials and religious scholars to minimize their smartphone usage, signaling that the restrictions on technology extend beyond just educational settings. This systematic rejection of modern communication tools highlights the regime’s determination to isolate Afghanistan from global technological trends while reinforcing their ideological control over information access.
