Taliban Conduct “Emirate Studies” Exams for Students

Kabul (Kubha News) – The ministries of higher education, culture, and youth, along with the Ministry of Education under the Taliban regime, have initiated examinations under the informal subject of “Emirate Studies.”
Over the past six months, these tests have been administered across several provinces in Afghanistan, including Maidan Wardak, Paktia, Khost, Bamyan, Takhar, Sar-e-pul, Baghlan, Balkh, and Daikundi.
The “Emirate Studies” curriculum, authored by Qari Saeed, encompasses topics such as the introduction of the Emirate, its leadership structure, key figures, the genesis of the Taliban movement, objectives, wars against US and NATO forces, and related subjects.
In response, the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Education have coordinated specialized examinations for students and young individuals from universities, high schools, and other educational institutions, offering incentives for exceptional performance.
During a recent examination held at Balkh University, attended by approximately 500 participants, Lotfullah Khairkhwah, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, highlighted the importance of reconnecting Afghan youth with their cultural heritage, emphasizing the absence of historical, cultural, and ethical voids.
Ezzatullah, a participant from Paktia, emphasized the competitive aspect of the exam, noting that the Taliban incentivize students and youth to engage with the “Emirate Studies.” He disclosed that participants are tasked with 150 questions, with top performers receiving prizes such as computers, and rewards extended up to the fifteenth place.
These examinations occur amidst the Taliban government’s recent alterations to the educational curriculum, including the prohibition of books critical of the Emirate system or discussions on Western political frameworks and democracies.