KABUL, Afghanistan — Girls in Afghanistan’s cold regions began their annual school exams on Thursday amid despair and uncertainty, as the Taliban’s ban on female education beyond sixth grade shows no signs of being lifted.
Students and their families expressed deep frustration, calling on the Taliban to reverse its policies and reopen schools for girls.
Madina, a sixth-grade student, completed her first day of exams with a heavy heart. She dreams of becoming a teacher but fears that the Taliban’s restrictions may shatter her aspirations.
“Why can boys study, but we Afghan girls cannot? Why?” she asked. “It’s a girl’s right and dream to achieve something, to serve her country. I want to build my future and rebuild Afghanistan. My request to the Islamic Emirate is to open the school gates so I can attend school in this uniform in the coming years.”
Muska, another sixth-grader, echoed Madina’s concerns. Her goal is to become a doctor, but she believes this could be her final year of schooling.
“Today, I returned home after my exam, and tomorrow I have another,” Muska said. “But I can’t concentrate on my studies because I know that after this, I won’t be allowed to go to school. I love this uniform and want to wear it until I finish the 12th grade.”
Families call for action
Parents of the students urged the Taliban to end the ban, accusing the group of politicizing education. They said their daughters’ futures are being sacrificed for ideological reasons.
“The Taliban must not take away our daughters’ dreams,” said one father. “Education is not a privilege; it’s a right. We call on them to reopen schools and universities for girls immediately.”
Global condemnation
International organizations have repeatedly condemned the Taliban’s restrictions on education. According to a report by UNESCO released in August, at least 1.4 million Afghan girls have been denied access to secondary education since 2021.
This figure has grown by 300,000 since April 2023, with more girls reaching the age of 12 each year, effectively aging out of their current grade levels without the opportunity to continue their studies.
The Taliban, which regained power in August 2021, initially promised to allow girls’ education under Islamic principles. Instead, they have systematically barred girls from secondary schools and universities, drawing sharp criticism from human rights advocates and world leaders.
With little indication that the Taliban will reverse course, Afghan girls and their families are left in limbo. For students like Madina and Muska, the joy of attending school is overshadowed by the uncertainty of what comes next.
“My daughter’s dreams are fading,” said a mother outside an exam hall. “We cannot allow an entire generation to lose its future.”
