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Afghanistan’s important universities have reopened six months after the Taliban returned to energy, however solely a trickle of ladies have returned to now-segregated lessons.
Most secondary colleges for women and all public universities had been shuttered following the Taliban’s August 15 takeover, sparking fears ladies can be barred from schooling – as occurred through the first rule of the Taliban, from 1996-2001.
The Taliban insist they’ll enable women and girls to be educated this time round – however solely in segregated lessons and in line with an Islamic curriculum. The lessons for female and male college students will probably be performed at totally different occasions, in line with the ToloNews.
“I’m completely satisfied that the college resumed … we need to proceed our research,” stated an English main who requested to be recognized solely as Basira.
However she stated there was a scarcity of lecturers, including, “Perhaps as a result of some have left the nation.”
Tens of hundreds of Afghans left the nation, amongst them lecturers, after the collapse of the West-backed authorities of Prime Minister Ashraf Ghani following the march of Taliban fighters on the capital Kabul in mid-August.
Some public tertiary establishments within the south of the nation resumed final month, however on Saturday Kabul College, the oldest and largest with a scholar physique of about 25,000 final yr, re-opened with out fanfare – and few college students in attendance.
At the least 19 universities and academic institutes had been reopened, reported the Kabul-based ToloNews quoting the Ministry of Larger Training.
Basira stated there have been “some difficulties” – together with college students being scolded by Taliban guards for bringing their cellphones to class.
“They didn’t behave properly with us … they had been impolite,” she stated.
One other English scholar, Maryam, stated solely seven ladies attended her class.
“Earlier than we had been 56 college students, girls and boys,” she stated.
Taliban guards refused journalists entry to the sprawling campus and didn’t enable media groups to linger close to the doorway.
No college students in Panjshir
An identical image emerged from campuses throughout the nation, though no college students returned to class at Panjshir College.
“I have no idea if they’ll come tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, or not,” stated Professor Noor-ur-Rehman Afzali.
Panjshir was the final province to fall to the Taliban final yr, and Jaber Jibran, a school head, stated a number of school rooms destroyed in that combating had nonetheless not been repaired.
The Taliban have stated beforehand that girls college students should put on a black abaya over their our bodies and hijab on their heads, however stopped in need of insisting on the all-covering burqa that was obligatory throughout their earlier rule.
A number of college students, nevertheless, appeared dressed no in a different way Saturday than they’d have earlier than the Taliban takeover, with a easy scarf masking their heads.
“I’ve by no means worn any hijab earlier than … it’s new for me,” stated Sohaila Rostami, a biology scholar in her final semester at Bamiyam College.
“I used to put on denims and different regular garments. It will likely be troublesome for me to look at hijab,” she informed AFP.
In Herat, the traditional Silk Highway metropolis close to the Iranian border and as soon as one of many Islamic world’s most necessary mental centres, college students additionally complained a couple of lack of tutors.
“A few of our professors have additionally left the nation, however we’re completely satisfied that the college gates are open,” stated Parisa Narwan, learning arts.
In Kabul, scholar Haseenat stated campus life for girls was now very totally different to earlier than.
“We’re informed to not exit of our lessons,” she informed AFP.
“There isn’t any cafeteria any extra … we’re not allowed to go to the college’s courtyard.”
No nation has but recognised the brand new Taliban regime, which has imposed a number of restrictions on ladies – together with banning them from many authorities jobs.
Western sanctions and the freezing of Kabul’s property value billions of {dollars} within the wake of Taliban seize have pushed Afghanistan’s economic system in the direction of close to collapse. The UN has warned of an impending humanitarian catastrophe with greater than half of the nation’s inhabitants dealing with meals insecurity.
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