Afghan girls sit exams despite not attending schools for a year

Afghan education authorities have organised graduation exams for high school girls across much of the country despite most of them being barred from attending classes since the Taliban’s return to power last year, according to media outlets.

The education ministry did not provide details of the exams – or how many pupils were sitting them – and refused to allow the media near schools where they were being held on Wednesday.

Most secondary schools for girls have been shut across the country since the Taliban returned to power in August last year, with the hardliners offering a series of excuses for the closures.