Kabul: The Taliban rulers of Afghanistan on Wednesday decided not to reopen schools for girl students of classes VI above. With this, he broke his promise of providing higher education to girls. Upon hearing the verdict, Afghan girls cried. Its photos are going viral on social media.
A Taliban official has confirmed this unexpected decision. The decision is likely to adversely affect the Taliban’s efforts to gain recognition from potential international donors. The Taliban has taken this step at a time when Afghanistan is going through a worse humanitarian crisis.
The international community has urged Taliban leaders to open schools and give women their right to go to public places. Aid organizations said the move increased uncertainty about Afghanistan’s future.
US Special Representative Thomas West tweeted that he was “shocked and deeply disappointed” about the decision. He said the Taliban had made it clear that all Afghans have the right to education.
“For the future of the country and its relations with the international community, I urge the Taliban to fulfill their promise to the people,” West said.
In the past, the Taliban pledged to the international community that they would not curtail the rights of women and girls.
A Taliban official on Wednesday confirmed the move that girls will not study in classes above sixth. This decision has been taken by the Taliban before the start of the new academic session in Afghanistan.
The international community has been urging Taliban leaders to open schools soon and not to deprive women of their public rights. In a statement issued by the ministry earlier this week, “all students” were requested to come to the school.
Wahidullah Hashmi, the external relations official in the Taliban-led administration, told the Associated Press that the decision to ban girls from attending higher education schools came to light on Tuesday night.
Hashmi said, “We were informed late night by the Taliban leadership about the decision to remain closed for girls’ schools. We do not say that schools will remain closed forever.
“The leadership has not decided when and how the girls will be allowed to go back to school,” he said.
