Wed Jun 18 16:36:42 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Taliban Enforces Smartphone Ban in Kandahar Schools, Citing Focus and Islamic Law**

**Kandahar, Afghanistan – June 18, 2025** – A ban on smartphones in schools across Kandahar province in southern Afghanistan has taken effect, following a directive from Taliban authorities. The move, which applies to students, teachers, and administrative staff in schools and religious schools (madrassas), is justified by officials as a means to improve educational discipline, focus, and uphold Islamic law.

“This decision has been made to ensure educational discipline, focus,” the provincial Education Department stated, adding that the use of smartphones contributes to the “destruction of the future generation” from a “sharia perspective.”

The policy has sparked mixed reactions. Some teachers believe it will enhance concentration on studies. “I think this is a good decision so that there is more focus on studies,” said Saeed Ahmad, a 22-year-old teacher.

However, students express concerns about its impact on learning. A 12th-grade student, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that the ban could hinder note-taking and information access, especially given the restrictions on girls’ education. “When the teacher writes a lesson on the board, I often take a picture so I could write it down later. Now I can’t. This decision will negatively affect our studies,” he said.

The ban extends to madrassas, where students have also reported complete compliance.

The Taliban’s move aligns with recent trends in other countries, including France, Denmark, and Brazil, which have also implemented restrictions on mobile phones in classrooms. It also follows the Taliban’s broader restrictions on images of living beings in media and a call by Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada to reduce smartphone use among officials.

“This is the order of the leaders, and we must accept it,” said a security forces member in Kandahar, who has switched to a “brick phone” in compliance.

This latest directive adds to the ongoing debate about the role of technology in education and the Taliban’s policies impacting education and personal freedoms in Afghanistan.

**[Source: The Hindu]**

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