Taliban enforces smartphone ban in Kandahar schools and madrasas

(Web Desk): In Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar province, Taliban authorities have imposed a complete ban on the use of smartphones by students, teachers, and staff in schools and religious seminaries, citing concerns over educational discipline and adherence to Islamic principles. The ban has been enforced with immediate effect.

According to a report by French news agency AFP, Taliban officials confirmed the smartphone ban in the region’s educational institutions. Both students and teachers acknowledged the implementation of the policy, which officials say addresses concerns about "focus" and "Islamic law."

The directive, issued by the provincial Department of Education in Kandahar, applies to all students, teachers, and administrative staff of both schools and madrasas. The statement clarified that the decision aims to ensure educational discipline and focus, and is also justified from a Sharia perspective, as smartphones are viewed as a potential source of moral harm to future generations.

The policy is already in effect across schools in the province, though reactions among teachers and students remain mixed.