Date: 02/12/1403

Taliban Leader: Wearing a Turban for Students Is Mandatory; Tight and Thin Clothing Is Prohibited
The Taliban’s Ministry of Education has stated in an official letter that Haibatullah Akhundzada, the group’s leader, has issued a directive containing a nine‑article dress code for students in public and private schools.
According to a copy of the directive obtained by Rukhshana Media, wearing a turban is mandatory for male students, and wearing clothing that is excessively short or long, tight, fitted, or made of thin fabric is strictly prohibited.
The directive specifies that the uniform for students in public schools consists of a long shirt and trousers, with the shirt extending below the knees. The designated color for grades 1 to 9 is sky blue, and for grades 10 to 12, white.
The uniform for tsarandoy (student monitors) is described as a long shirt and trousers in khaki, paired with black shoes. Student monitors must also wear a cloth armband on their left arm bearing the Education Directorate flag, with the word tsarandoy written on it, as well as a white belt.
The directive outlines the design of the tsarandoy emblem, stating that it is intended to distinguish student monitors from other students. The emblem contains an image of a book, a pen, a wheat stalk, two swords, and, at the top, the phrase “Allahu Akbar” written in three languages—Pashto, Dari, and English—alongside the name “National Tsarandoy Organization of Afghanistan.”
According to the Taliban leader, this dress code aims to bring order to educational institutions, strengthen students’ discipline and obedience, promote a shared identity among students, distinguish students from the general public, and reinforce what the group describes as “Islamic dress culture.”
The directive notes that uniforms for private‑school students will be determined by the respective educational institutions.
The dress code also mandates that teachers must wear traditional long shirts and trousers paired with either a turban or cap, while instructors in religious schools must wear long shirts, trousers, and turbans appropriate for religious scholars.
The directive warns that students are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of their uniforms, and those who fail to comply will be required to sign a pledge promising not to repeat the violation.
The Taliban leader issued this dress code at a time when the group has already restructured Afghanistan’s national school curriculum.
In early January of last year, the Taliban’s Ministry of Education announced that it had completed revisions to the primary‑school curriculum.
The curriculum changes sparked concerns among education activists and experts. According to them, altering the content of textbooks could push children toward religious extremism.
Over the past three and a half years, the Taliban have established tens of thousands of religious schools across Afghanistan, raising widespread accusations that they are promoting radicalization and fundamentalism among students.
Meanwhile, through severe restrictions on girls’ education, the Taliban have kept girls above grade six out of school for more than three years and four months. The directive makes no mention at all of uniforms for female students.

This entry records a directive issued by Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada establishing a mandatory dress code for students in Afghanistan’s schools. The regulation requires male students to wear turbans and prohibits clothing considered tight, short, or made of thin fabric, while prescribing specific uniforms by grade level and attire for student monitors. The directive frames the measure as promoting discipline and “Islamic dress culture,” reflecting the institutionalization of religious norms and behavioral control within the education system.