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The Taliban-led Afghan Ministry of Education has ordered all secondary schools to reopen on Saturday; however, the decree only references male pupils, with no mention of a return date for female students. This is in direct contradiction to the outfit’s claims made after gaining power in Kabul last month.
“Hereby, students and teachers of all private and Emirati (government) secondary, high schools, and religious schools are urged to return,” the official decree adds, according to Khaama Press.
Last Monday, the Taliban declared the formation of an interim government, promising not to repeat the policies of the previous Taliban leadership (1996-2001).
However, reports from the ground contradict this. Women are being denied the ability to work, according to media sources, and a large number of them have demonstrated to demand their rights to employment and education.
Concerns have been expressed by experts and members of the international community concerning the future of female teachers and pupils.
All educational activities will be administered in conformity with Sharia Law, according to Shaikh Abdulbaqi Haqqani, the newly appointed education minister.
Private universities and other higher education institutions resumed a week ago, although classes were segregated into male and female sections. Many individuals have criticised this decision, which would deny girls access to higher education because major colleges in the country cannot afford to give alternative programmes due to a lack of funding.
Meanwhile, the ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’ has abolished the ministry of women’s affairs, replacing it with a ministry of ‘encouragement and the promotion of virtue, as well as the prohibition of vice.’
During the Taliban’s last reign, which lasted from 1996 to 2001, women were required to wear a burqa and not walk outside without a male guardian. Males were obliged to grow beards, and prayer times were strictly enforced. Moral police were stationed on every street corner, ready to flog, amputation, and public execution of offenders.
