For third consecutive year, schools in Afghanistan start academic season without girls

A new school year has started in Afghanistan, but without girls. The Taliban have prohibited female students from receiving education beyond the sixth grade, a move that has drawn international criticism, according to news reports.

Schools across Afghanistan began classes this week for the new academic year. On Wednesday, representatives from the Taliban interim government attended a ceremony in Kabul for the start of classes.

During the ceremony, Taliban Education Minister Habibullah Agha said that the ministry is trying “to increase the quality of education in religious and modern sciences as much as possible.”

According to media outlets, Afghanistan is the only country in the world that prohibits girls from studying beyond elementary school.

Afghan women and girls have been put under harsh circumstances since Taliban returned to power in August 2021, as the movement has restricted their mobility, education and other rights.