Taliban ban girls from secondary education in Afghanistan

19 September 2021, 08:37 | Updated: 19 September 2021, 08:39

Taliban policemen patrol a street in Kunduz, northern Afghanistan
Taliban policemen patrol a street in Kunduz, northern Afghanistan. Picture: Alamy

By Asher McShane

Girls have been excluded from the reopening of secondary schools in Afghanistan despite an earlier Taliban promise not to take the country back to the repressive days of the 1990s.

The country's rulers have replaced the women's ministry with an all-male "vice and virtue ministry" tasked with enforcing the group's rigid interpretation of Islam.

There are fears Afghanistan is returning to the harsh rule when a similar ban on girls' schooling was in place.

Former Commander of British forces in Afghanistan in 2003, Colonel Richard Kemp, told LBC News the Taliban had no intention of keeping their promise to let girls stay in education.

The Taliban have said they are yet to make a decision on whether to allow girls back into classrooms.

Its education ministry said secondary school classes for boys in grades seven to 12 resumed yesterday.

“All male teachers and students should attend their educational institutions,” a statement said.

The future of girls and female teachers was not addressed.

Afghanistan is the only country on earth to block half its population from getting a secondary education.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Julie Goodyear

Julie Goodyear's husband removes rare photo of Coronation Street star after dementia diagnosis amid blacklash

The vehicle was later extinguished after the driver, covered in flames, emerged from the vehicle.

Amsterdam Dam Square car explosion sees driver engulfed in flames - just days after mass stabbing

Kanye West confirms that him and Bianca Censori have split.

Kanye West confirms split from wife Bianca Censori as rapper claims she 'tried to have me committed'

d

Pictured: US tourist arrested for sailing to remote island and leaving a can of Coke for world's most isolated tribe

The female athlete took a knee instead of competing against a transgender athlete in a fencing tournament.

Fencing row erupts as US athlete takes knee instead of competing against transgender athlete

Luton Airport

Luton Airport expansion plans approved by transport secretary despite environmental concerns

police officer uk jacket

Boy, 15, locked up after stabbing girl, 13, with sword and leaving her to die by side of motorway

The UK's charity watchdog has launched a probe into Prince Harry’s Sentebale charity

Prince Harry breaks silence as he attacks 'blatant lies' amid investigation into Sentebale charity

M5 closed in both directions after body found on motorway sparking police investigation

M5 closed in both directions after body found on motorway sparking police investigation

Lucy

Expert panel claims 'no criminal offences committed' in Lucy Letby case after bombshell new report into baby deaths

The Sentinelese are a pre-Neolithic tribe that rejects contact with the modern world

US tourist arrested for sailing to remote island and leaving a can of Coke for the world's most isolated tribe to try

Full runners and riders confirmed for Saturday's Grand National

Grand National 2025 runners and riders confirmed as full 34-horse line-up revealed

Exclusive
Sophie Bannister and April-Levi Whalley have posted celebratory social media posts after dodging jail for drug smuggling

'Can't wait to enjoy our summer': Drug smuggling best friends celebrate after avoiding jail time

The Trump administration has been ridiculed after imposing tariffs on uninhabited islands

'No one is safe, not even the penguins': Trump administration ridiculed after imposing tariffs on uninhabited islands

Uriah Rennie is 'learning to walk again'.

Premier League's first black referee, Uriah Rennie, 'learning to walk again' after he was left paralysed

Two people died in the explosion in Newcastle

Drug dealer, 33, admits manslaughter after devastating house explosion in Newcastle left two dead