Use of smartphones banned in universities in Afghanistan

The ruling “Taliban” movement in Afghanistan has introduced new rules in the higher education system. This was reported by Zamin.uz.

According to Afghanistan International, the country’s Ministry of Higher Education has banned university teachers and lower-level administrative staff from using smartphones during working hours. The ministry’s documents state that smartphone use complicates work processes and distracts employees.

For this reason, professors and administrative staff in colleges are not allowed to bring or use phones during work hours. For higher-ranking officials, a gradual reduction in smartphone use has been recommended.

The ministry’s official statement emphasized that “Scholars should not use smartphones at their workplaces.” It is worth noting that the “Taliban” have previously discussed abandoning smartphone use.

Last year, the movement’s leader Haibatullah Akhundzada instructed religious scholars to find a way to give up smartphones on religious grounds. In recent days, internet services in Afghanistan have been restricted, and disruptions have been observed in the operation of some TV channels.

Since the “Taliban” came to power, strict restrictions have been imposed in the fields of education, information technology, and personal freedoms. These developments have had negative consequences for freedom and information exchange in the country.

It is also stated that such rules have been introduced in higher education institutions to improve work efficiency. These changes occurring in Afghanistan’s education system are being closely monitored by the international community.