The Taliban extremist group, which has taken control of Afghanistan's government after ousting the previous authorities, have reversed their stance on opening high schools for girls, citing that it needed a plan in accordance with Islamic law before opening educational establishments.
Many were taken aback by the broken promise, and it has left students in tears with many humanitarian agencies, rights groups, and diplomats, criticizing the Taliban's administration. The remarks come as the militant group is trying to gain international recognition to officially be in control of the region.
Taliban Closes Schools for Girls
Several teachers and students from three high schools located around the capital Kabul said that some girls have already gone back and were excited to be on campuses on Wednesday morning. However, they were told to go home since the establishments would not be opening yet, leaving them devastated.
One student who was kept anonymous for security reasons said that she and others became "totally hopeless" when the principal told them about the news. The Taliban group was known to have taken control of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 where they banned education and most employment from female citizens, as per Reuters.
The Taliban militant group previously promised that girls would be allowed to go to school as long as they were separated from boys or given different learning hours. They told girls who are above the 6th grade to stay at home until a school uniform appropriate to Sharia and Afghan customs and culture are designed.
Many expect the decision to spark widespread criticism and international condemnation with U.S. diplomats saying that it was "disappointing." An 18-year-old student, Tamana, who goes by her first name for security reasons, said she was so excited that she could not sleep the night before the reopening of schools.
Militant Group's Rule
According to CNN, in a statement, the Afghan education ministry said that it "assures the people of our nation once again that it is fully committed to ensure the rights of our compatriots to education." On Wednesday, the UN mission in Afghanistan responded in a Twitter post saying that it "deplores" the militant group's decision to extend the school ban that has lasted more than six months now.
United States Special Representative Thomas West also posted on Twitter where he expressed his "shock and deep disappointment" regarding the Taliban's decision. He said that it was a betrayal of public commitments to the Afghan people and the international community.
West said that the Taliban themselves made it clear that they were giving all Afghan residents the right to education. He added that for the sake of the country's future and its international relations, the militant group should live up to their commitments to the people of the nation.
On the other hand, the Norwegian Refugee Council, which spends roughly $20 million per year to support primary education in Afghanistan, said it was still waiting for an official response from the Taliban. The inquiry was about the cancellation of classes for Afghan girls above the 6th grade, the Associated Press reported.
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