Afghanistan Lower Secondary (Grade 9) Curriculum - Religious Studies

Information on the specific details of the Grade 9 Religious Studies curriculum in Afghanistan is limited. However, religious studies are a component of the lower secondary curriculum (Grades 7-9).

Historically, two parallel education systems existed in Afghanistan: religious education provided by clerics at mosques, and free academic education provided by the government at state schools. Religious studies were included as subjects in the government-provided curriculum. Lower secondary education covers three years, from grades 7 to 9, for students aged 12 to 15.

Since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, there has been a significant shift in the education landscape. The Taliban have been widely criticized for banning girls from secondary and higher education. There are reports of the Taliban converting secular schools into religious seminaries (madrassas) and prioritizing religious studies with a conservative interpretation of Islam. The number of madrassas has reportedly grown significantly since 2021.

While some sources mention the Ministry of Education's role in curriculum development, specific curriculum documents for Grade 9 Religious Studies have not been readily accessible.