The Taliban have dismissed hundreds of university professors, both men and women, from institutions across Afghanistan. Key provinces such as Kabul, Herat, and Bamiyan have seen the most significant impact, according to various academic and administrative sources.
Unclear reasons behind the dismissal of professors
The dismissals took place without notice or clear justification. Many of those affected had worked in academia for years and held advanced degrees. Professors confirmed that their names appeared on the dismissal lists, adding to the confusion.
One dismissed professor explained, “Everyone on the list holds a PhD. They are educated and experienced. These people should have been promoted, not removed from their positions.” Another professor stated, “At first, it was the women. Now, the men are being pushed out too.”
The Taliban’s reshaping of Afghanistan’s higher education
So far, the Ministry of Higher Education under the Taliban has not provided any official explanation for the dismissals. In addition, some professors reported that they had not received their salaries for the past two months. They also described a growing sense of coercion on campus, with mandatory participation in daily noon prayers and Islamic guidance sessions twice a week.
Many analysts believe that these actions are part of a broader strategy by the Taliban to reshape Afghanistan’s higher education system. By removing independent or critical academic voices, the Taliban might be aiming to replace them with individuals who align more closely with their ideology.
Previously, the Taliban banned women from attending university, a move that drew widespread international criticism. With male professors now also being dismissed, concerns are rising about the future of Afghanistan’s already fragile academic institutions.
