Taliban Bars Girls Over Grade 6 From Attending School

Few believed the Taliban would honour their commitments towards inclusive governance and respecting rights of women but those who thought otherwise will be in for a shock. The education ministry had earlier said schools for both boys and girls were to reopen on Wednesday, the first day of the academic year. But girls of Grade 6 were barred from attending school, sparking national and global condemnation. No explanation was given by the authorities. After the backlash, the ministry says a plan to reopen schools for girls in Grades 7-12 has been sent to the Prime Minister’s Office. Tolo News quoted a ministry spokesperson as saying that the plan included appointing female teachers for girl students and segregating schools for boys and girls. Which means girls’ education could be sacrificed at the altar of medieval thought.