Taliban keeps girls' schools closed

Teenage girls in Afghanistan waited 7 months to return to school. But their excitement was soon ended. The schools had only been open for a few hours when they closed again.

People worried about girls' education after the Taliban took over Afghanistan. The 1996 to 2001 Taliban-controlled state hadn't allowed any girls to study. When primary schools opened to girls again, people hoped things would be different. But girls' secondary schools didn't reopen.

After 7 months, they finally did. Students like 12th grader Satayesh were delighted.

Satayesh Hamdard: "I am feeling very happy that the schools are open today. We came to our school with a lot of happiness, and I am hoping that our school remains open until the end of the year. We are hopeful that we could start this year with happiness and joy, with a new thought. And I hope, hope they don't disappoint us."

But students were soon disappointed. Just hours after they'd returned to school, their lessons stopped again. The ministry of education couldn't offer any reason for this. It's thought that senior Taliban officials pushed back against the decision.

Women and girls showed their anger on the streets of Kabul, where protesters are often arrested. They said everyone has a right to education.

Laila Basim: "Taliban should open the girls' schools because women are half part of the society. Taliban cannot oppress the women of Afghanistan."

Nawesa: "It's in our Prophet's sayings, everyone has given us this right. But Taliban has taken away this right from us. Education is our right."

This right to education is part of international discussions with Taliban leaders. They need other countries' support, and some have offered to pay teachers' salaries. Students like Sahar want this right.

Sahar Mohammadi: "When the Islamic Emirate say we must live according to Islamic laws, they need to please open the schools. Because it is in the Quran that both men and women are allowed to continue their education and study."

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