Students across Kabul’s public schools are voicing frustration over the neglect of sports and calligraphy in their curriculum. These subjects, they argue, are often taught by unqualified teachers and receive little institutional support, leaving students demotivated and underprepared. Yasna, a student in Kabul’s sixth district, shared that sports and calligraphy are sidelined at her school.
Her mother, a yoga instructor, emphasized, “Neglecting sports in school is not acceptable at all… we could have a healthier society.” She believes the Taliban’s influence has worsened the situation. Ali Behjat, another student, noted that while he’s passionate about sports, his school lacks trained instructors. “For football, all you need is a ball… but no attention is paid to it,” he said, adding that calligraphy is similarly disregarded. Sakina, a fifth-grader, had to seek external help to improve her handwriting. “Calligraphy is not given much attention…
If teachers would carefully and regularly teach this subject, our handwriting would improve,” she said. Ahmad Rasoul reported that sports and calligraphy classes are often replaced with unrelated discussions or religious lessons. “They say calligraphy is useless and tell us to learn our religion first,” he added. Parents and educators are urging reform. Sutoda, a mother of three, criticized the lack of structured teaching plans.
Abdullah, a father of five, warned that poor instruction leads to health issues and unreadable handwriting. Teachers like Hadi Sahebzada and Seyar Seros argue that societal undervaluing of these subjects is the root problem. “Calligraphy is an art… it is essential for every young person to take it seriously,” Seros stated.Experts recommend hiring specialized teachers and revamping the curriculum to restore the importance of these disciplines.
Afghan Students Demand Respect for Sports and Calligraphy in Public Schools”
