Taliban cancels school for girls over sixth grade

Hundreds of girls tearfully walked home Wednesday, the first day of the new school year in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, after finding out there were no classes open to them. The Education Ministry had encouraged all students to go back to school on Tuesday, but Taliban leaders announced their decision to revoke classes for girls’ high school. No official announcement has been made yet, so some teachers said they would hold classes for girls until then. A Taliban spokesperson said Wednesday the cancellations might be temporary as they work on new policies in line with Islamic law.

Why the sudden change? Rifts have appeared in the Taliban leadership since it took control of Afghanistan in August. Pragmatists have allowed women to work and wear a hijab head covering rather than the full-body burqa that was required in the past. But hardline leaders want to keep support from their rural Taliban members. When the Taliban was last in power, it banned higher education and employment for women. The current regime promised the international community it will keep opportunities open for women but has also restricted travel, dress codes, and jobs. 

Dig deeper: Listen to Mary Reichard interview Aaron Ashoff with Samaritan’s Purse on what life under the Taliban is like on The World and Everything in It podcast.