Kabul
- Everything was ready for the start of studies in middle and secondary schools in Afghanistan after the winter break. The Ministry of Education had prepared a complete plan for the past five months, but hours after the girls came to their schools, news spread that classes were postponed and students were asked to return to their homes until further notice.
The sudden decision raised many questions about the debate between the leaders of the Taliban movement, especially that preparations for opening schools were completed, and public and non-governmental universities resumed their studies, with girls separated from boys weeks ago in all states of the country.
What is surprising for many Afghans is that in exchange for the postponement of studies in Kabul schools and other states in the center and north of the country, schools in other states such as Herat, Kunduz, Nangarhar, Khost and Konar continued to operate, as the cold winter in them is receding before other states.
Female students attended Maryam Intermediate and Secondary School in Kabul before they were asked to return to their homes (Al-Jazeera)
sudden decision
At the Amani Secondary School for Boys (in central Kabul), a large hall was filled with dignitaries and invitees, on an occasion that was supposed to be festive and give more optimism, but the students were satisfied with presenting some religious songs, and speeches were given about the status of science and scholars by some officials, while no one spoke about girls' education.
After the ceremony, none of the Taliban-led government officials spoke, but rather the absence of many prominent figures from the ceremony, and after a long wait, the spokesman for the Ministry of Education, Aziz Ahmed Rayan, came to comment to reporters about the crying of some girls because they heard the news of the postponement of studies.
Ryan said, "The tears of the girls of Afghanistan are precious to us, and a tear sheds by the eyes of one of our daughters is as if it were blood oozing from our bodies.
He added that the authority announced its decision in the evening to postpone the opening of girls' schools after the sixth grade until a plan was re-established in accordance with Sharia and traditions.
He pointed out that the ministry has drawn up a plan from several points, which is that girls and boys will have separate classes, and if this is not possible, the division will be timed, and teachers are obligated to wear the veil, and that female teachers are specialized in teaching female students.
In response to a question by Al Jazeera about the existence of a time frame for reopening girls' schools, Rayan said that the Ministry of Education could not specify the date, noting that they were waiting for a decision from Taliban leader Hebatullah Akhundzadeh.
At the same time, he affirmed the ministry's pledge to educate girls, and that there is no decision to prevent their education, but it is a matter of time until schools open again.
Female students in front of their school on the morning of the first day of classes (Anadolu Agency)
resentment
Before any official spoke, social media crowded with comments expressing their annoyance with the sudden decision, and it was noted that among the commentators were accounts of people known to support the Taliban movement, which shows that the decision may be one of the most controversial decisions since the movement came to power.
Among the Taliban leaders who alluded to criticism of the decision was the former ambassador to Pakistan, Abdul Salam Zaeef, who said in a tweet, “It would have been useful if a committee of 50 scholars had been formed at the country level to discuss women’s work and their role in education, trade and social activism in accordance with the provisions of Islamic law. Defining and defining their rights and setting a method for working within the framework of Sharia.
For his part, US special envoy to Afghanistan Thomas West said in a tweet that he joins millions of Afghan families in expressing "shock and disappointment" at the decision.
West considered education a basic human right and important to Afghanistan's growth, and that the decision "a betrayal of obligations to the Afghan people and the international community," noting that the Taliban affirmed the right of all Afghans to education.
1/3 I join millions of Afghan families today in expressing shock and deep disappointment with the Taliban's decision to not allow women and girls to return to school above grade 6.
— US Special Representative Thomas West (@US4AfghanPeace) March 23, 2022
The State of Qatar expressed its deep concern and disappointment with the decision of the Afghan caretaker government, as the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that these negative practices will have a profound impact on human rights, development and the economy in Afghanistan.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry added that the State of Qatar - as a Muslim country in which women enjoy all their rights, foremost of which is education - calls on the Afghan caretaker government to review its decision in line with the teachings of the Islamic religion with regard to women's rights.
The Ministry stressed the State of Qatar's position in support of the Afghan people's access to all their rights, foremost of which is the right to education.
The United Nations Mission in Afghanistan also issued a statement expressing its regret at what it described as the Taliban's decision - and the Afghan government did not say - as mission officials had previously praised the move to allow female students to study in public and private universities weeks ago.
The UN in Afghanistan deplores today's announcement by the Taliban that they are further extending their indefinite ban on female students above the 6th grade being permitted to return school.
pic.twitter.com/aNH7rj3amw
— UNAMA News (@UNAMAnews) March 23, 2022
The representative of the UNICEF mission to Afghanistan, Muhammad Ayoya, also expressed his concern, calling on the Taliban movement to expedite the opening of the doors of schools for all without any delay, while German Ambassador Markus Potzel considered the decision inconsistent with previous decisions of the Afghan government.
Today's news that girls from Gr.7 to Gr.12 cannot go back to school is deeply worrying.
This decision means that adolescent girls have been out of school for more than 6 months.
Across Afghanistan, this has been devastating morning for daughters, mothers and fathers.
— Mohamed Ag Ayoya (@Ag_Ayoya) March 23, 2022
As for UNICEF Regional Director George Laria Adjei, he said that he woke up in the morning expecting the girls to start school in Afghanistan, but what happened was a "setback" for their future, referring to a UNICEF opinion poll conducted last week to probe the opinions of 65,000 young men and women who showed their aspiration to resume their education.
We have been doing everything possible to make education a reality for all children.
I've seen children's passion for learning first-hand in my trips to #Afghanistan.
Just last week, over 65,000 youth told us through a poll that children are excited about schools reopening.
— George Laryea-Adjei (@G_LaryeaAdjei) March 23, 2022
The decision comes after indications of improving relations between the Afghan government and neighboring countries and Western countries, and days after extending the mission of the UN mission, which was considered a positive sign of intensifying communication between the United Nations and the government.
It also comes after visits by UN officials at the highest levels and diplomats from Asian, European and Islamic countries to Kabul, in exchange for visits by Afghan delegations headed by Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki to European capitals, the last of which was his meetings with foreign ministers and diplomats from many countries at the Antalya Forum a few days ago.
After this decision, many Afghans are awaiting the possibility of reversing it in the coming days or weeks, in light of what political and media sources described as the ongoing debate in this regard between the leaders of the Afghan government from the Taliban movement in Kabul and Kandahar.