KABUL: As the second anniversary of the Islamic Emirate’s takeover passes, female students and teachers have voiced their growing apprehension over the continued silence surrounding the fate of schools in the country.
The absence of any mention of educational institutions during this period has sparked worries and led to a renewed call for the reopening of academic establishments for girls.
Amid the uncertainty, a resolute emphasis on the right to education remains a prominent theme among the affected individuals. Urging the current government to take swift action, they assert that the reopening of schools and universities for girls is an imperative step toward securing a brighter future for the nation.
Expressing her disappointment, Marwa, a student, conveyed, “Yesterday, I thought that maybe schools, universities, and many other places that were closed would open, but they didn’t.”
Najma, another student, echoed the sentiment, saying, “We call on the government to reopen schools and universities for girls.”
The ongoing closure of girls’ schools has ignited concerns among both students and teachers who foresee dire consequences if this trend persists. They warn that the shuttering of educational institutions will only exacerbate the existing issue of illiteracy in the country.
“There was some news on social media about reopening schools and universities for girls, but it didn’t happen. The closure of the schools is not beneficial for our country,” cautioned Fahima, a student.
A perplexing question lingers: why has the plan to reopen schools and universities for girls not been solidified after two years under Islamic Emirate rule?
“We were waiting for their announcement on the anniversary of Islamic Emirate rule about reopening schools and universities for girls,” revealed Fazil Malik, a resident of Kabul.
Rahmatullah, another Kabul resident, emphasized the importance of girls’ education in critical sectors. We ask to reopen schools for girls because we need them in the teaching and medical departments.
Numerous women’s rights activists have raised their voices against the sidelining of women’s education, underscoring the detrimental impact on the nation’s future.
“We are waiting for the reopening of schools for girls, but they didn’t open schools, and they are imposing more restrictions on women day by day,” lamented Mahboba Saraj, a women’s rights activist.
Following the Islamic Emirate’s ascension, the Ministry of Education initially outlined plans to allow education for girls above the sixth grade through a carefully designed method. However, recent months have witnessed a worrying silence from the Ministry regarding any progress on this matter.
