BBC Program Provides Lifeline for Afghan Girls Denied Education

In Afghanistan, where the Taliban prohibits girls from receiving secondary or higher education, a BBC program called Dars has become a “learning lifeline” for girls who are barred from attending school. The program, hosted by BBC female journalists who fled Kabul after the Taliban’s return to power, covers subjects such as math, history, science, and ICT. The show is being used in secret school lessons set up by former teachers like Afsana, who gather groups of girls in their basements to watch the program and write summaries of what they have seen. Afsana shares that her students watch with interest and passion, and their hopes and dreams for the future are kept alive by the program. Yasmine Sherif, the executive director of Education Cannot Wait, praises community-based education initiatives like the BBC’s Dars program, saying they provide safety, hope, and opportunity to girls in crisis. While the program is a valuable educational resource, it is not a replacement for school, and until girls and women are allowed back into the classroom, their future in Afghanistan remains bleak. The Taliban government states that the ban on girls’ education is temporary, but many Afghan observers are skeptical, as increasing restrictions on women have hindered hopes of school reopening. Afghan girls like 21-year-old Razia express their despair and resentment, feeling trapped in a country that has become a graveyard for their hopes. Razia, who was stopped from attending classes during her final year of journalism degree, now makes her younger siblings watch the program, hoping it will inspire their dreams. The situation in Afghanistan echoes the late 1990s when the Taliban’s rule restricted education for an entire generation of Afghan girls. While some, like myself, were fortunate enough to go elsewhere, many girls were forced into early marriages. Today, those who escaped are witnessing their own daughters face the same fate. Amina, a 16-year-old girl who hasn’t attended school for more than two years, finds solace in the Dars program, which makes her feel like she is regaining control over her life. She hopes to go back to school one day, but for now, the program helps her feel connected to the classroom. The program provides a glimmer of hope for girls like Amina who feel forgotten by the world and yearn for opportunities to learn and thrive.