By: Zubaida
The Taliban in Herat province have extended their restrictions on girls’ education by banning them from attending private educational courses beyond the sixth grade.
In a letter dated December 23, the Taliban education director in Herat stated that, based on a decree from Haibatullah Akhundzada, girls are prohibited from attending private education courses beyond the sixth grade until “further notice.”
The letter indicates that the order was distributed to various departments, including the Teachers’ Professional Development Department, the Injil District Education Department, the Guzara District Education Department, the Taliban Intelligence Directorate, and the Union of Educational Centers.
Taliban officials have instructed the Herat Education Department to enforce the ban strictly.
Private educational centers in Herat reported that they had been ordered, both in writing and verbally, not to enroll female students above the sixth grade.
Despite the closure of schools for girls above the sixth grade, these students had previously attended educational courses in subjects such as English and other disciplines.
Since seizing control of Afghanistan, the Taliban has progressively limited access to education for girls. Initially, they closed schools for girls, followed by a ban on university attendance. Health institutes, where girls were previously allowed to study, have also been shut down, exacerbating the limitations on educational opportunities for girls.
This ongoing restriction highlights the Taliban’s ongoing disregard for girls’ and women’s rights to education, severely impacting their prospects and development.
