EU Urges Taliban to Prioritize Education and Science for Afghanistan’s Future

The European Union delegation in Afghanistan marked World Science Day by calling for urgent investment in education, science, and innovation as essential pillars for lasting peace and development in the country.

Kokcha NewsNovember 11, 2025

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FILE — Women protest the Taliban’s decision to cancel the return of high school-aged girls to the classroom, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on March 26, 2022. The group has promised moderation even while reinstituting its harsh rule of Afghanistan; now, the revelation that the Taliban were sheltering Al Qaeda’s leader is likely to harden support for sanctions. (Bryan Denton/The New York Times)

In a public statement, the EU stressed that supporting education—especially for women and girls—is critical to building a stable, self-reliant Afghanistan. The delegation reiterated its commitment to Afghan students and teachers, emphasizing that “investing in science means investing in lasting peace.”

Despite being one of the largest donors to Afghanistan’s education sector in past years, the EU expressed deep concern over the Taliban’s severe restrictions on girls’ education. Since August 2021, the de facto authorities have banned girls from secondary schools and universities, effectively excluding half the population from formal education.

Recent reports from UNESCO and UNICEF confirm that Afghanistan’s education system is now in a “state of crisis,” with a critical shortage of qualified teachers, inadequate learning facilities, and systematic discrimination against women and girls.

The EU called on the Taliban to reverse these bans and adopt inclusive educational policies that empower all Afghans. International experts warn that excluding women from education will deepen poverty, fuel instability, and isolate Afghanistan further from the global community.