Inside Afghanistan’s Secret Schools for Girls
There are no new updates regarding the clandestine schools for girls in Kabul. Previous reports confirmed that teenage girls continue their education in basement classrooms despite the Taliban ban on female schooling. These students have used handwritten letters to appeal for international support, while families and teachers provide the necessary assistance to maintain these secret learning centers. These classrooms serve as the primary educational alternative for adolescents currently barred from universities, secondary schools, and professional careers by the fundamentalist regime.
Listen to Live Briefing
Real-time synthesized voice briefing · Live Feeds Desk
- ✓ There are no new updates regarding the clandestine schools for girls in Kabul.
- ✓ Previous reports confirmed that teenage girls continue their education in basement classrooms despite the Taliban ban on female schooling.
- ✓ These students have used handwritten letters to appeal for international support, while families and teachers provide the necessary assistance to maintain these secret learning centers.
What changed
No new information was provided in the latest source material regarding secret schools in Afghanistan.
Live updates
-
No New Developments Reported for Kabul Secret Schools
There are no new updates regarding the clandestine schools for girls in Kabul. Previous reports confirmed that teenage girls continue their education in basement classrooms despite the Taliban ban on female schooling. These students have used handwritten letters to appeal for international support, while families and teachers provide the necessary assistance to maintain these secret learning centers. These classrooms serve as the primary educational alternative for adolescents currently barred from universities, secondary schools, and professional careers by the fundamentalist regime.
Why it matters
The Taliban's ban on female education isolates millions of Afghan girls from formal schooling. Secret schools represent a grassroots resistance effort to preserve literacy and professional potential. This struggle occurs against a backdrop of severe restrictions on women's rights across Afghanistan.
What to watch next
- Reports of increased Taliban crackdowns on basement schools
- Evidence of international aid reaching clandestine educators
- Official changes to the Taliban's ban on secondary education for girls
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (4)
- www.commondreams.org — 45 Organizations Urge House Democratic Leadership to Call a Vote on Cuba War Powers Resolution
- www.commondreams.org — Senate Investigation Into OpenAI Is an Important First Step, But CEOs Must Testify Under Oath
- www.newsday.com — Live updates: Sept. 11 victims remembered 25 years after attacks
- www.nationofchange.org — Forever War: How 9/11 Unleashed U.S. Violence on Civilians Abroad & Attacks on Rights at Home
-
Afghan Girls Defy Taliban in Secret Basement Schools
Teenage girls in Kabul continue their education in a clandestine basement school despite a draconian Taliban ban on female schooling. During a rare visit, CBS News received handwritten letters from the students appealing for the global community to hear the voices of Afghan women and girls. Fathers, teachers, and families are quietly aiding this resistance by helping girls keep learning. These secret classrooms offer a vital lifeline for adolescents barred from secondary schools, universities, and professional careers under the fundamentalist regime.
Why it matters
The Taliban continue to enforce strict prohibitions against female education beyond the primary level, locking millions of girls out of the formal school system. Despite heavy international pressure and condemnation, the regime maintains these restrictions without facing significant global costs. This ongoing struggle highlights local defiance as communities quietly risk punishment to preserve educational access.
What is confirmed
- Teenage girls are studying in a secret basement school in Kabul in defiance of the Taliban regime.
- Students at the secret school handed CBS News handwritten letters appealing to the world.
- Fathers, teachers, and families are quietly helping girls keep learning despite the Taliban ban.
What to watch next
- Whether international actors impose new costs or measures on the Taliban regime to address the educational ban.
- Any official Taliban response to the continued operation of secret underground schools for girls.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (6)
- jen.jiji.com — Dritto e Rovescio, Mario Giordano host instead of Paolo Del Debbio: "A slight indisposition"
- www.wwaytv3.com — We visited a secret Afghan girls school. They surprised us with handwritten “letters to the world.”
- kabulnow.com — ‘Don’t You See Afghanistan?’ Afghan Girls Send Desperate Letters to the World
- www.ipsnews.net — Afghan Men Quietly Resist Taliban Ban on Girls’ Education
- www.wamc.org — Commentary: Educating girls banned from school in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan
- jen.jiji.com — Venice Film Festival, BeGreat returns with the roadshow 'The future is human. Every great story starts before success'
-
Afghan Girls Defy Ban with Secret Studies and Letters
Twenty-one Afghan girls defying the Taliban ban on female education have shared letters detailing their hopes for an ordinary life. Afghan girls remain barred from education beyond the sixth grade, which blocks their entry into secondary schools and universities and prevents most professional careers. Although secret schools offer a way around these restrictions, the Taliban refuse to lift the ban despite heavy international pressure. A United Nations special rapporteur previously stated that the Taliban ignore global red lines because international condemnation has not imposed significant costs on the regime.
Why it matters
The prohibition on education enforces severe restrictions on female participation in Afghan society. International bodies struggle to influence the regime because diplomatic pressure has failed to alter domestic policy. Secret educational networks represent a dangerous form of resistance for students seeking to preserve their academic futures.
What is confirmed
- Twenty-one Afghan girls defying the Taliban have handed over letters containing their dreams for an ordinary life.
- Afghan girls remain prohibited from receiving education beyond the sixth grade.
- The education ban prevents girls from attending secondary schools and universities and blocks access to most professional careers.
- UN special rapporteur Richard Bennett previously noted that the Taliban ignore global red lines because international condemnation has not resulted in significant costs for the regime.
What to watch next
- Potential responses from international organizations regarding the letters from Afghan students
- Any shifts in Taliban enforcement or policy concerning secret educational networks
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (7)
- jen.jiji.com — Netanyahu sues Haaretz for defamation: "Lies, no phone call with Mbz"
- jen.jiji.com — School, Cirfood: for 94% of families, the canteen is much more than a refreshment break
- jen.jiji.com — Ricercamondo turns 10 and arrives in middle schools
- jen.jiji.com — Drugs: mavacamten for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, benefits confirmed for up to 5 years (2)
- www.yahoo.com — How Many of These 28 Classic Climbing Books Have You Read?
- rapidcityjournal.com — Trump gave $45,000 gifts to Natalie Harp, others, from his own pocket
- www.aol.com — Afghan girls who study in secret want you to read their "letters to the world"
-
Taliban Education Bans Continue to Block Afghan Girls from Secondary Schooling
Afghan girls remain prohibited from receiving education beyond the sixth grade. This ban prevents them from attending secondary schools and universities, effectively blocking access to most professional careers. While some girls utilize secret schools to circumvent these restrictions, the Taliban maintain the prohibition despite international pressure. UN special rapporteur Richard Bennett previously noted that the Taliban ignore global red lines because international condemnation has not resulted in significant costs for the regime.
Why it matters
The education ban is part of a broader human rights crisis under Taliban rule. This systemic exclusion limits the future economic and social potential of half the population. Ongoing volatility in the security environment further complicates efforts to provide clandestine schooling.
What is confirmed
- Girls are banned from education beyond the sixth grade.
- The education ban excludes girls from universities and secondary schools.
What to watch next
- Evidence of increased international sanctions targeting the Taliban education policy
- Reports on the scale and reach of secret school networks
- Official policy shifts from the Taliban regarding secondary education
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (4)
- jen.jiji.com — The debate with Schlein, Conte, Bonelli and Fratoianni begins with a photo and the promise: "With us in government, recognition of Palestine"
- jen.jiji.com — Iran, media: another US missile near Kharg island, Tehran oil tanker hit
- www.devdiscourse.com — Taliban Rule Is Closing Afghan Children Out of Their Future
- www.ocregister.com — 9/11 in memoriam: 20 books that address the September 11 terrorist attacks
-
UN Expert Warns Taliban Face No Consequences for Human Rights Violations
United Nations special rapporteur Richard Bennett stated Monday that the Taliban continue to cross global red lines because international condemnation carries little cost. This assessment follows a period of escalating human rights and humanitarian crises in Afghanistan. While girls use secret schools to bypass education bans, the broader security environment remains volatile. Recent reports indicate a rise in violent crimes and mysterious killings across the country, including a recent death in Zabul province.
Why it matters
The Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on women and girls, forcing education underground. This systemic oppression coincides with widespread hunger, child labor, and forced marriages.
What is confirmed
- Richard Bennett is the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan.
- The Taliban have faced an escalating human rights, humanitarian, and economic crisis.
Still unconfirmed
- A young man was found dead in Zabul province amid a rise in mysterious killings.
What to watch next
- Evidence of international sanctions or diplomatic actions following Bennett's warning
- Reports on the scale of underground school networks
- Official Taliban responses to the Zabul province death
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (4)
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Breaking News Live Updates: TMC challenges HC order in SC over removal of Abhishek Banerjee office billboard
- www.aol.com — 60 Dirty Truths That A Regular Person Would Be Disgusted By But Industry Insiders Had To Get Used To
- kabulnow.com — Young Man Found Dead in Southern Afghanistan as Mysterious Killings Rise
- kabulnow.com — UN Expert Says Taliban Crosses Global Red Lines Without Facing Consequences
-
Afghan Women and Children Face Deepening Crisis Under Taliban Rule
Afghan women and girls continue to endure severe restrictions under Taliban rule, with education bans driving students into secret underground schools and online classes to escape total isolation. According to United Nations Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett, children and young people bear the brunt of an escalating human rights, humanitarian, and economic crisis characterized by widespread hunger, child labor, and forced marriages. Meanwhile, local sources report that Taliban authorities closed roughly one hundred shops in the Jebrail district of Herat province due to a land ownership dispute, detaining three residents.
Why it matters
Five years after the return of the Taliban, restrictive decrees have effectively barred women and girls from schools, universities, and public parks while requiring a male guardian for long-distance travel. United Nations reports warn that these systemic policies threaten the future of an entire generation, eroding child-protection mechanisms and fueling extremist grooming. Local economic stability also faces mounting pressure as authorities enforce commercial closures over real estate disputes.
What is confirmed
- Taliban authorities closed around 100 shops in the Jebrail district of Herat province following a land ownership dispute.
- Three residents were arrested in connection with the shop closures in Herat province.
- United Nations Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett warned that children and young people are suffering from a deepening human rights and humanitarian crisis under Taliban rule.
Still unconfirmed
- Ayesha attends a secret school six days a week to avoid total isolation under Taliban rule.
What to watch next
- Further United Nations findings or international responses to the human rights report
- Developments regarding the land ownership dispute and shop closures in Herat's Jebrail district
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (14)
- jen.jiji.com — Monza GP, Antonelli triumphs and extends lead in the World Championship: finishing order and how the drivers' standings change after the Italian Grand Prix
- jen.jiji.com — Women's Volleyball European Championship, today the Italy-Turkey final - Live
- www.breakingnews.ie — Inside Afghanistan’s secret schools for girls
- www.breakingnews.ie — Donald Trump breaks the law so fast that the law is left in his orange dust
- www.irishtimes.com — Ireland’s ETF investors face another wait for deemed-disposal reform
- www.irishtimes.com — Do Venetians see depictions of their city in film as we Irish see Micksploitation movies?
- kabulnow.com — Taliban Close Around 100 Shops in Herat’s Jebrail Over Land Ownership Dispute
- www.nbcnews.com — ‘I’m going to fight’: How Afghan girls are defying the Taliban to learn online
- anglicanmainstream.org — Inside Afghanistan’s terror schools
- www.irishtimes.com — Volcanic eruption in Indonesia impacts 22,000 passengers and 209 flights
- www.breakingnews.ie — Trump envoys arrive in Kyiv after meeting Putin in Moscow
- kabulnow.com — Afghan Citizen Executed in Iran Despite Severe Mobility Disability
-
Afghanistan's Secret Schools for Girls Continue Amid Taliban Restrictions
Afghan girls' education faces ongoing challenges under Taliban rule, with restrictions hampering humanitarian efforts and aid access. Despite this, some schools have reopened abroad, and virtual classrooms have been organized internationally. The situation remains volatile, with concerns over rising malnutrition and human rights abuses.
Why it matters
The Taliban's ban on female education and restrictions on humanitarian aid have significantly impacted Afghanistan. The international community has expressed concern over the treatment of women and girls, with some accusing the Taliban of committing crimes against humanity. The situation has led to a rise in malnutrition and other health issues.
What is confirmed
- The Taliban's restrictions on female education and humanitarian aid have led to a volatile operational environment for aid agencies in Afghanistan.
- Malnutrition cases in Kandahar Province have risen by 30 percent compared to the previous year, according to MSF.
- The EU's permanent representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Diké Poudzel, stated that the Taliban may have committed crimes against humanity through their treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan.
What to watch next
- Further developments on the Taliban's treatment of women and girls
- Updates on the situation with Afghan girls' education
- Humanitarian response and aid access in Afghanistan
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (4)
- www.dailymail.com — Hard Right spectre looms over the EU: SUE REID investigates how anti-immigration parties stormed from the fringes and are now poised to take power for the first tim…
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Trump's Spy Chief Brought More Trouble For Ukraine; Did His Moscow Move Trigger Putin's Fury?
- kabulnow.com — EU Envoy Says Taliban May Have Committed Crimes Against Humanity Over Treatment of Afghan Women
- kabulnow.com — Malnutrition Cases in Afghanistan’s Kandahar Province Rise by 30 Percent, MSF Says
-
Afghan Girls School Reopens in Rwanda as Domestic Bans Persist
An Afghan girls school has reopened in Rwanda following a ban on female education enforced by the Taliban. Previously, staff evacuated the original institution and burned student names, stories, and identities to protect them from authorities. Meanwhile, domestic restrictions continue to hamper humanitarian efforts inside Afghanistan, where aid access remains volatile due to ongoing bans on female workers. Students have attempted to bypass domestic limitations through virtual classrooms organized internationally, even as the broader operational environment for humanitarian agencies faces severe disruptions.
Why it matters
The closure of domestic education for girls under Taliban rule has forced institutions to relocate abroad and learners to seek alternatives online. These educational restrictions coincide with broader pressures on humanitarian operations and female aid workers across the country. International observers and commentators note that twenty-five years after the onset of the War on Terror, the global footprint in the region continues to grapple with the long-term consequences of instability.
What is confirmed
- An Afghan girls school has reopened in Rwanda after a Taliban education ban.
What to watch next
- Further reports on the enrollment capacity and curriculum of the reopened school in Rwanda
- Updates from international aid organizations regarding female worker restrictions inside Afghanistan
confidence 80%Sources used for this update (5)
- www.dailymail.com — ANDREW NEIL: 25 years on from 9/11, America's $6TRILLION War on Terror has achieved little beyond stoking new forms of Islamist barbarity
- thekabultribune.com — Afghan Girls' School Reopens in Rwanda After Taliban Education Ban
- kabulnow.com — Taliban Arrest Man Suspected of Killing Wife and Infant Daughter in Eastern Afghanistan
- thenightly.com.au — Lindsay Clancy mistrial: Judge officially declares mistrial in murder case against US mother
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Bagalkot school ceiling collapse: Two engineers, HM suspended
-
Canada-based virtual classrooms and UN aid cuts mark new Afghan education crisis
Afghan girls are accessing education through virtual classrooms organized in Canada as the United Nations reports a surge in humanitarian disruptions. In July, Taliban restrictions forced the temporary suspension of 18 aid programs. These limits on humanitarian access and women's participation continue to hinder the delivery of assistance nationwide. While students use online literature classes to bypass domestic bans, the operational environment for international aid remains volatile due to ongoing government restrictions on female workers and access.
Why it matters
The Taliban ban on formal education for women and girls has pushed learning into underground networks and overseas alternatives. This shift occurs as international groups struggle to maintain basic humanitarian services within the country.
What is confirmed
- The United Nations reported that Taliban restrictions led to the temporary suspension of 18 aid programs in Afghanistan during July.
- Ongoing limits on women's participation continue to disrupt the delivery of humanitarian assistance across Afghanistan.
Still unconfirmed
- Young women in Afghanistan are attending online literature classes via virtual classrooms organized in Canada.
What to watch next
- Further UN reports on the status of suspended aid programs
- Evidence of increased Taliban crackdowns on virtual learning tools
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (10)
- jen.jiji.com — 'I Go Back and Change My Life', with Bova and Memphis: tonight on Rai1
- jen.jiji.com — MasterChef in mourning, former contestant Ilenia Bazzacco has died: she was 54 years old
- www.darpanmagazine.com — Virtual classrooms organized in Canada offer lifeline to girls under Taliban rule
- jen.jiji.com — Kills wife and 14-year-old son then commits suicide in Finale Ligure, alarm raised by employer and the note: what we know
- au.news.yahoo.com — Special Forces Heroes' Humiliating Nickname for Pete Hegseth Is Leaked
- www.wionews.com — Krystle D’Souza and Rida Tharana win The Traitors Season 2
- www.wionews.com — Andrew Tate faces fresh charges of trafficking minors, money laundering in Romania
- thenightly.com.au — Nepal floods: Two more Australians found safe as fears grow for 36 still missing after deadly disaster
- kabulnow.com — Taliban Restrictions Force Suspension of 18 Aid Programs in Afghanistan in One Month, UN Says
- kabulnow.com — Bosnia Police Detain 18 Afghan Migrants Attempting Illegal Entry into the Country
-
Afghanistan's Secret Schools for Girls Continue to Operate
The Taliban's ban on education for women and girls in Afghanistan has led to the establishment of secret schools, providing an alternative educational setting for those barred from formal classrooms. These underground networks are crucial for students seeking education. International groups advocate for education rights, but the domestic environment remains restrictive. Save the Children reports increasing hardships for women and girls. A school for Afghan girls has now opened permanently in Rwanda.
Why it matters
The Taliban's restrictions on women's education have been in place since their takeover of Afghanistan. This has resulted in significant challenges for women and girls seeking education. The secret schools and the new school in Rwanda are attempts to circumvent these restrictions. The situation remains critical as the international community pushes for change.
What is confirmed
- The School of Leadership of Afghanistan has opened a permanent school in Rwanda.
- The Taliban's ban on education for women and girls in Afghanistan has led to significant hardships.
- International groups, including Save the Children, continue to advocate for education rights in Afghanistan.
What to watch next
- Development of the secret schools in Afghanistan
- Reaction of the Taliban to the new school in Rwanda
- Progress on education rights advocacy
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (8)
- jen.jiji.com — Politico, Vance at pro-Israel Republican summit to mend ties
- jen.jiji.com — USA, Bank of America Vice President is the woman stabbed to death in Times Square
- jen.jiji.com — Inter, Ausilio will not renew contract: leaves club after 28 years
- jen.jiji.com — Venice Film Festival, Giffoni Innovation Hub at the Lido: 5 days of meetings, screenings, and talks
- jen.jiji.com — Turkey, Arabia and beyond: here's where the market is still open. From Benzema to Pogba, it's a hunt for luxury free agents
- jen.jiji.com — Fabregas, Dimarco, Malen and... All the award winners of the Aic 2026 Grand Gala of football
- www.pressdemocrat.com — Russian strikes kill 2 Ukrainian civilians as Moscow and Kyiv threaten to raise the stakes
- www.bostonherald.com — After fleeing Afghanistan to continue educating girls, SOLA opens a permanent school in Rwanda
-
Lyse Doucet reports on clandestine girls schools in Afghanistan
Journalist Lyse Doucet has visited Afghanistan to report on secret schools for girls and conduct interviews with the Taliban. These underground networks serve as the primary educational alternative for students barred from formal classrooms. While international groups continue to advocate for education rights, the domestic environment remains restrictive, forcing women and girls to operate in hidden settings to avoid detection by authorities. Save the Children has previously noted that the ongoing ban on education is causing increasing hardships for women and girls across the country.
Why it matters
The Taliban banned girls from formal education following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan five years ago. Clandestine schools emerged as a survival mechanism to maintain literacy and learning. The persistence of these networks highlights the tension between Taliban restrictions and the local demand for education.
What is confirmed
- Women and girls in Afghanistan operate clandestine schools to bypass Taliban education restrictions.
- Save the Children reports that women and girls face increasing hardships due to the education ban.
- Lyse Doucet visited Afghanistan and spoke to the Taliban five years after the US pullout.
What to watch next
- Official Taliban responses to the existence of secret schools
- Reports on the scale of student enrollment in clandestine networks
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (7)
- baynews9.com — Pinellas Schools launches first girls-only automotive summer camp
- jen.jiji.com — Homeless man finds 4,000 euros in a briefcase and... distributes them to passers-by
- jen.jiji.com — Extreme heat doesn't leave the Center-South, still muggy and anomalous temperatures
- jen.jiji.com — Chiara Ferragni, illness on vacation in Peru: the photo with the oxygen mask
- jen.jiji.com — South Korea, Unification Church leader sentenced to 2 years in prison
- www.bbc.com — Inside Afghanistan’s secret schools for girls
- www.newyorker.com — What Happened in Minneapolis
-
Secret Schools Emerge as Afghan Girls Face Education Ban
Afghan girls and women are operating clandestine schools to bypass Taliban restrictions on education. These secret networks provide a primary alternative for students who have been barred from formal classrooms. Save the Children reports that women and girls in Afghanistan face increasing hardships as the ban persists. While some international communities hold events to support the right to education, the domestic situation remains restrictive, forcing students to seek learning opportunities in hidden settings to avoid detection by authorities.
Why it matters
The Taliban administration has implemented strict bans on female education beyond primary levels. This policy has led to a systemic collapse of formal schooling for girls across the country. Access to higher education is also being reshaped by these restrictive mandates.
Still unconfirmed
- Secret schools are operating within Afghanistan to provide education for girls.
- Save the Children states that Afghan women and girls face growing hardships.
What to watch next
- Official Taliban statements regarding the legality of home-based schooling.
- Reports on the scale and number of secret schools operating nationwide.
- International diplomatic efforts to restore formal education for girls.
confidence 60%Sources used for this update (8)
- The New York Times — Inside Afghanistan’s Secret Schools for Girls
- Eurasia Review — Afghanistan’s Appeal To The World – OpEd
- 8AM Media — Five Years Ago, I Was in Fifth Grade
- Inside Higher Ed — How the Taliban Is Reshaping Afghan Higher Ed (opinion)
- thekabultribune.com — Afghan Women and Girls Face Growing Hardships, Save the Children Says
- frequencynews.ca — Pickering Hosts Walk in Support of Afghan Girls’ Right to Education
- The News Pakistan — Uniting for justice
- 8AM Media — 1,825 Days Without School
Community Sentiment: How do you assess this situation?
Voice your perspective · Real-time aggregated sentiment from the Live Feeds community