English language learning centers in Khedir and Sangtakht-Bandar have been closed by the Taliban

Tahawoul News Agency: Local sources from the districts of Khedir and Sangtakht-Bandar tell Tahawoul that the English language learning centers in these two districts have been closed, and the teachers and administrators have been arrested. According to sources, Taliban intelligence forces raided the “New Harizon” English language centers yesterday morning, Sunday, January 12, while students were attending classes. They arrested the teachers and administrators and confiscated computers and educational materials.

A source from Sangtakht-Bandar told Tahawoul: “The Taliban intelligence forces inspected the central branch of Sangtakht-Bandar district on Saturday, January 11, took photos of the national cards of the teachers and officials, and then, on Sunday morning, January 12, arrested the teachers while no female students were present in the course.”

The source adds that after repeated requests from the elders of Sangtakht-Bandar district, this afternoon, Monday, January 13, two teachers and the director of this center were released on bail.

Meanwhile, another source from Khedir district also confirmed the closure of the New Harizon educational centers in the district, stating that these centers have been closed for two days, and all teachers have been arrested by the Taliban’s intelligence forces.

According to these sources, the Taliban justified the closure of these centers by claiming they were “disobeying the leader’s order” regarding the prohibition of girls’ education and “promoting Christianity” among the youth.

The sources add that these centers were established five years ago by the “JRS” organization in these two districts and were managed by the “New Harizon” organization after the Taliban came to power.

This comes just days after Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban, criticized the people of Gaza for not learning modern sciences during a graduation ceremony for students of a religious school. He stated that the people of Palestine, due to their laziness in learning new sciences and technology, are now weak and powerless against Israel.

Mujahid’s criticism comes at a time when the educational system in Gaza, unlike the Taliban’s system, does not have gender or content-based restrictions.

Since the Taliban’s return to power on August 15, 2021, they have gradually closed all educational institutions above the sixth grade for girls and women, despite widespread national and international criticism.