KABUL (SW) – Condemnation of the Islamic Emirate’s move to close the school doors for girls continued on Sunday with the women rights group demanding reopening.
Criticizing the Ministry of Education’s decision to close secondary schools and girls ‘high schools, the Afghan Women for Peace and Freedom Foundation said the decision has no rational justification and that girls’ education should not be sacrificed for politics.
At a news conference in Kabul today, Torpiki Momand, deputy director of the AWPFF, said that education was the right of all Afghan girls and boys.
According to her, education is a non-political sector and the government should not play with the fate of the people, especially the fate of girls. The deputy head of the group emphasized that closing schools to girls undermines the trust of citizens and the international community in the Islamic Emirate, and that the caretaker government should allow female students to go to school as soon as possible.
The decision of the Ministry of Education to extend the closure of schools to students above the sixth grade has also caused concern and dissatisfaction among students.
Shogofa, an 11th grade student, told the meeting that the Islamic Emirate had not allowed girls to go to school, contrary to its obligations. He emphasized that it is time for the Ministry of Education to respect the right to education for girls.
Speaking on the occasion, a number of teachers said closing schools to female students has left them frustrated with the situation in Afghanistan. The teachers urged the Islamic Emirate to reopen schools to girls above the sixth grade as soon as possible.
We wanted to have the view of the Ministry of Education in this regard, but the ministry spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.
After months of closure, schools were scheduled to reopen on Wednesday, but the Ministry of Education did not allow girls to enter the school, contrary to its obligations. This action of the Islamic Emirate met with sharp domestic and international reactions.
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