New Delhi: Just hours after schools above 6th grade in Afghanistan reopened in nearly seven months, the Taliban administration said girls could not attend classes till further notice.
According to a Ministry of Education communique, girls would sit at home until a decision was taken on an appropriate school uniform in “accordance with Sharia law and Afghan culture”, the Taliban-run Bakhtar News Agency said.
“All girls’ schools and high schools above the sixth grade are informed that the lessons of these schools and high schools have been postponed till the second day, whenever a comprehensive plan is drawn up in accordance with Sharia and Afghan tradition and culture,” said the Ministry of Education in Afghanistan statement on Twitter.
د پوهنې وزارت خبرتيا
د نجونو ټولو هغو ښوونځیو او ليسو ته چې له شپږم ټولګي څخه پورته دي خبر ورکول کېږي چې ديادو مکاتبو او ليسو درسونه تر امر ثاني پورې ځنډېدلي دي، هر کله چې په دي اړه له شريعت او افغاني دود او کلتور سره سمه جامع طرحه جوړه او داسلامي امارت د مشرتابه حکم وشي بيا… pic.twitter.com/KkpOY5tAeN
— Bakhtar News Agency (@BakhtarNA) March 23, 2022
Afghanistan’s education ministry had announced last week that schools for all students, including girls, would open around the country on 23 March since the Taliban swept back into power last August.
Condemning the decision, the United Nations’ Mission to Afghanistan in a Twitter post said it “deplores today’s reported announcement by the Taliban that they are further extending their indefinite ban on female students above the 6th grade being permitted to return school”.
The UN in Afghanistan deplores today’s reported announcement by the Taliban that they are further extending their indefinite ban on female students above the 6th grade being permitted to return school. pic.twitter.com/aNH7rj3amw
— UNAMA News (@UNAMAnews) March 23, 2022
The Taliban’s announcement to halt girls from attending schools left many students in tears.
“I’m extremely disappointed with the Taliban denying secondary school for us at the last minute. Last night, I finally slept with hope and happiness at the prospect of being able to go to school after a long time,” a student from Kabul told The Telegraph.
While another student expressed that she would no longer trust the Taliban “for a second” time, who earlier had banned female education when it ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001.
Many people on Twitter criticised the move while several videos were also shared on social media platforms where girl students could be seen breaking down after hearing the announcement.
Girls in Afghanistan crying after they were promised their schools would reopen only for the Taliban to lock them out again at the last minute. pic.twitter.com/SuoEpNLz5B
— Heather Barr (@heatherbarr1) March 23, 2022
Mother I wasn’t Allowed to enter My school today ?
Tear of Defeat and grief of this Poor soul carves the heart! pic.twitter.com/kVXB0aLPrJ
— Nilofar Ayoubi (@NilofarAyoubi) March 23, 2022
In the morning, two #girls relatives of mine went to school with great enthusiasm – I felt all joy is in these girls but they returned with tears in their eyes. The moment I saw them, I felt that all sadness in the world is all in these two girls. My heart broke.? #Edcation #Afg
— Jamshid Roshangar (@JamshidRoshangr) March 23, 2022
He hugged his daughter, after she came back home today, when #Taliban didn’t allow girls to go to school!?#Afghanistan
Pictures @arefyaqubi pic.twitter.com/J5ZllagQVI
— Zahra Joya (@ZahraJoya) March 23, 2022
Also read: Taliban to reshuffle cabinet to get international recognition