Girls left in tears after Taliban says schools cannot reopen because of dispute over uniforms

Afghan girls have been left in tears after the Taliban backtracked on a promise to let female students return to secondary schools on Wednesday, citing a dispute over uniforms.

Hours after classrooms had reopened for the first time in seven months, the Taliban published a notice saying schools would remain shut for girls.

 “We inform all girls’ high schools and those that [have] female students above class six that they are off until the next order,” it read.

The statement said schools would only reopen once a decision was made in accordance with “Sharia law and Afghan tradition” over uniforms for girls.

Many female students reacted angrily to the closures. Footage shared on social media showed girls breaking down in tears after hearing the news.

 “I’m extremely disappointed with the Taliban denying secondary school for us at the last minute. Last night, I finally slept with hope and happiness at the prospect of being able to go to school after a long time,” said Nazia, 18, a student from Kabul.

“I woke up early to get ready but just before we tried to enter the building we were turned back.”

Another student, Rana, 18, from Kabul, said that she would no longer trust the Taliban “for a second” more.

 “I thought that the Taliban had changed but they are unchangeable. I’m so sorry for the 50 percent of the Afghan population who are being excluded from the basic rights of education and work.”

Teachers across Afghanistan also received phone calls from local Taliban leaders to halt lessons and ask female students to leave their premises. 

Many students were forced to return to their homes but a handful of small protests were held by girls outside their schools.

The Taliban’s Ministry of Education had announced that schools for all students would reopen from Wednesday and on Tuesday evening, a spokesperson had released a video congratulating all students on returning to the classroom.

A senior Taliban minister told the Telegraph, on condition of anonymity, that the decision had been overruled by senior leadership at the last minute.

 “The decision had been made to open schools for girls of all ages but a few days ago, our Education Minister was summoned to Kandahar and asked why he had made this promise,” said the minister.

“The minister was told by the top religious advisors that we can’t open schools for girls and so a decision was made late last night.”

The Taliban had banned formal education for girls when they previously ruled over the country between 1996 and 2001 but after returning to power in August they had promised opportunities in education and employment for women.

 “Shame on Taliban for denying millions of girls education. Shame on Taliban for going against Islam’s teaching on education for all,” tweeted Shaharzad Akbar, the former chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission.

 “Shame on them for opposing the wishes of Afghan people. Shame on them for lying through their teeth and failing to have consensus on a key issue.”

Billions of pounds of aid has also been withheld by western countries with the condition that women must be afforded an education before it is released. The British government is yet to comment on the Taliban’s u-turn.

 “All girls have a right to an education. The authorities have made repeated statements in recent weeks that they will restore girl’s access to education in Afghanistan. Today, we are appalled that the authorities have failed to fulfil their promise,” said Hassan Noor Saadi, Save the Children’s Regional Director for Asia.

 “Everyday girls are out of school is a day their basic human rights are being denied. We urge the authorities to reverse this decision and ensure schools for girls open immediately.”

United Nations envoy Deborah Lyons tweeted that the closures were “disturbing” and questioned the Taliban’s rationale.