The school year in Afghanistan began on Wednesday, but girls were notably absent from classrooms beyond the sixth grade due to restrictions imposed by the Taliban. This makes Afghanistan the only country with such limitations on female education, affecting over 1 million girls, according to the U.N. children’s agency.
Prior to the Taliban takeover, an estimated 5 million girls were already out of school due to various reasons, including lack of facilities. The Taliban's education ministry held a ceremony to mark the start of the academic year, where female journalists were not permitted to attend, citing a lack of suitable accommodations.
The Taliban's education minister emphasized a focus on enhancing the quality of education in religious and modern sciences. The group has been prioritizing Islamic knowledge over basic literacy and numeracy, with an emphasis on madrassas or religious schools.
Students were also urged to adhere to Islamic and Afghan principles in their attire. The Taliban's deputy prime minister expressed efforts to expand education in remote areas of the country.
Despite initial promises of a more moderate rule, the Taliban have imposed strict measures, including barring women from higher education, public spaces, and most jobs. The ban on girls’ education remains a significant obstacle for the Taliban in gaining international recognition as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan.
While Afghan boys still have access to education, Human Rights Watch has criticized the Taliban for their 'abusive' educational policies, which are reportedly harming both boys and girls. The group highlighted issues such as the departure of qualified teachers, regressive curriculum changes, and an increase in corporal punishment leading to declining attendance.
