KANDAHAR – The Taliban has enforced a strict ban on smartphones in all schools and religious institutions across Kandahar, affecting students, teachers, and administrative staff. The move aims to ensure discipline and align with Islamic teachings.
The Education Department in Kandahar issued the directive, saying the ban is meant to improve students’ focus and protect them from what they called the “destruction of the future generation.” The statement claimed the policy follows a Sharia perspective.
While some students and teachers welcomed the ban, saying it would reduce distractions in the classroom, others expressed concern. A 12th-grade student said the restriction would hurt their ability to study since many rely on phones to take photos of class notes.
Mohammad Anwar, an 11th grader, confirmed that teachers have warned students against bringing phones. “They told us searches will begin if anyone is seen with a smartphone,” he said. Some students also highlighted the negative impact, especially in a country where girls are already banned from secondary education.
The ban has also been implemented in madrassas, where students now avoid bringing smartphones altogether. A 19-year-old madrassa student named Mohammad said, “There’s a complete ban now. Everyone follows it.”
This decision comes after the Taliban’s Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada urged officials and scholars to reduce their smartphone use. Some Taliban members in Kandahar have even switched to brick phones, avoiding internet-based apps altogether to comply with the directive.