Español
  Français

Education in Afghanistan

You are here: Countries / Afghanistan

The education system in Afghanistan has undergone significant changes in recent years, particularly since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001. Prior to this, the education system in Afghanistan was severely damaged by years of conflict and had a low enrollment rate, especially for girls.

Since the fall of the Taliban, the Afghan government has made efforts to rebuild and improve the education system in the country. As a result, the enrollment rate in Afghanistan has significantly increased, with over 9 million children now enrolled in schools. However, challenges still remain, including a shortage of schools and trained teachers, as well as ongoing security issues in some parts of the country.

The Afghan education system is divided into four levels: primary, lower secondary, upper secondary, and higher education. Primary education is compulsory and covers grades 1-6. Lower secondary education covers grades 7-9, while upper secondary education covers grades 10-12. Higher education includes universities and other institutions of higher learning.

The Afghan education system follows a curriculum based on the National Education Framework, which was developed by the Afghan Ministry of Education and covers the following subjects:

  • Math
  • Science (including biology, chemistry, and physics)
  • Language arts (including reading, writing, and literature)
  • Social studies (including history, geography, and civics)
  • Islamic studies
  • Foreign languages (such as English, French, and Persian)
  • Physical education
The curriculum is designed to provide students with a well-rounded education and prepare them for higher education and future employment. In addition to academic subjects, the curriculum also includes extracurricular activities and opportunities for students to develop skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Overall, the education system in Afghanistan is focused on providing students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their studies and in life.

Higher Education in Afghanistan

Higher education in Afghanistan includes universities and other institutions of higher learning. There are a number of public and private universities in Afghanistan, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of fields, including arts and humanities, science and technology, business, and education.

The Afghan higher education system is overseen by the Afghan Ministry of Higher Education, which is responsible for regulating and accrediting universities and other institutions of higher learning in the country.

Some of the major universities in Afghanistan include:

Kabul University: Established in 1932, Kabul University is the oldest and largest public university in Afghanistan. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of fields.

American University of Afghanistan: The American University of Afghanistan is a private, non-profit institution of higher learning founded in 2004. It offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business, engineering, and international relations.

Herat University: Herat University is a public university located in the western city of Herat. It offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as engineering, medicine, and law.

Nangarhar University: Nangarhar University is a public university located in the eastern city of Jalalabad. It offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as engineering, medicine, and agriculture.