Pashtana Durrani

Afghan educator creating underground digital schools under Taliban regime

At 24 years old, Pashtana Durrani (born 1999) leads Learn Afghanistan, a secret network of mobile schools defying Taliban's education bans. Using encrypted Telegram channels and hidden USB drives, she provides STEM education to 7,000+ Afghan girls barred from secondary schools.

Her most radical innovation is the 'school-in-a-box' - portable projectors with preloaded curriculum content that can be quickly hidden. Durrani trains teachers in cybersecurity measures and coordinates classes through coded messages. Despite assassination attempts, she continues expanding her clandestine education network while advocating globally for Afghan women's rights.

This Oxford-educated activist combines ancient Pashtun poetry with modern edtech solutions. Her TED Talk "Education as Resistance" has inspired global support. Durrani's work demonstrates how technology enables resistance movements, keeping hope alive for Afghanistan's lost generation of female students.