Turkish Foundation Expands Afghan School Enrollment
The Turkish Maarif Foundation plans to grow its student body in Afghanistan from more than 6,000 to over 8,000 while opening a new school in Khost province.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Education — General
The Turkish Maarif Foundation, operating in Afghanistan since 2018, currently serves more than 6,000 students and plans to raise enrollment above 8,000 in the near future. The foundation also aims to open a new school in Khost province soon.
Why it matters
The expansion reflects continued demand for schooling in Afghanistan and the role of foreign-operated institutions in providing education across multiple provinces. Its growth plans could shape access to boys' high schools, primary schools and kindergartens in the country.
The foundation's current enrollment of more than 6,000 students is set to rise to over 8,000, according to its stated plans. The source does not specify a completion date for this growth or the enrollment breakdown across its provincial campuses.
The players
Turkish Maarif Foundation
A Turkish-run educational organization that operates schools abroad and has provided education in Afghanistan since 2018.
The details
The Turkish Maarif Foundation's educational activities cover boys' high schools, primary schools and kindergartens, with services in Kabul, Mazar-e-Sharif, Herat, Kandahar, Sheberghan, Jalalabad and Maidan Wardak. A science project exhibition at the Afghan-Turk School in Maidan Wardak showcased 25 practical projects in chemistry, physics and biology, including gas-leak and fire-response systems.
Timeline
2018: The Turkish Maarif Foundation began operating in Afghanistan.
Near future: The foundation aims to exceed 8,000 enrolled students.
Soon: A new school is planned for Khost province.
Culture Shift
The expansion extends the Turkish Maarif Foundation's overseas school network, which operates under Turkish state educational outreach, into additional Afghan provinces. Its growth in Afghanistan tracks a broader pattern of foreign-run schools establishing a presence in regions where public education capacity is limited.
Families in the affected provinces may see new enrollment options as the foundation expands its student body and opens a school in Khost province. Students interested in these schools should monitor the foundation's announcements for enrollment details, which the source does not provide.
The takeaway
Expanding access to schooling can depend on institutions outside government systems, so tracking enrollment growth and new school openings offers a clearer picture of education availability in a given region.
Further reading
Explore more on Education — General for context on how international schools are expanding access worldwide.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TOLOnews.
