Afghanistan suspends or revokes licenses of nine private universities

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Higher Education, under the Taliban administration, has suspended or revoked the operating licenses of nine private universities. The decision follows inspections conducted during the spring semester of the 1405 solar year.

Seven institutions have received one-year suspensions: Barlas University (Jawzjan), Rah-e Saadat and Turkistan universities (Balkh), Azhar and Barna universities (Badakhshan), Rashad University (Faryab), and Payam University (Kabul). Two universities, Kohanduz University in Kunduz and Khana-e Danish University in Takhar, had their licenses permanently revoked.

Authorities cited several violations, including the maintenance of “ghost students,” poor attendance records, and allowing barred students to sit for final exams. The ministry also noted administrative and academic failings, such as inadequate laboratory equipment for medical students, failure to follow the approved curriculum, and a lack of practical hospital training opportunities.

This crackdown occurs amid significant pressure on Afghanistan's higher education sector following the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Restrictions on women and girls have heavily impacted the sector; UNESCO reports that the exclusion of women has caused private universities to lose approximately 28% of their income, with 31% of private institutions at risk of closure due to financial difficulties.