The Union of Private Universities in Kunduz Province said that the number of students attending private universities has dropped by 65 percent in recent months.

Officials at these universities added that in seven private universities of Kunduz the total number of students was around 5,000, whereas under the previous government the number exceeded 11,000.

They blame the decrease in the participation of students at private universities on the country's current situation, particularly the economic crisis.

“In the past, the number of students attending universities reached 10 to 11,000, but after the political change in the country the number dropped to 4 to 5,000,” said Samiullah Danishyar, head of the Union.

Meanwhile, officials at private universities in Kunduz said that the number of female students had dropped by 70%. They warned that if the situation continues like this many of the country's private institutions will close.

“If the situation continues like this up to the end of the year, with the people facing such economic challenges, around 60 to 70 of the universities will leave the market, and it is huge crisis for the education sector,” said Samiullah Danishyar, head of the Union.

“We ask the Islamic Emirate to launch some programs to motivate people to get an education,” said Mubarak Shah Amiri, chancellor of a private university in Kunduz.

According to some students at private universities, most of the students have left university due to economic problems and their uncertain fate.

“In recent months, the number of students dropped from 40 to 10 students. If the situation continues like this, most of the students will leave universities,” said Ataullah Safi, a student.

“We ask the officials to provide more facilities to the private and public universities, so that people become more interested in education,” said Imdadullah Omari, a student.

Currently, seven private higher education institutions are operating in Kunduz province.