Hundreds Of Afghan Girls Return To School As Taliban End Ban

Groups of girls headed back to class in the Afghan capital Wednesday after Taliban authorities announced the reopening of secondary schools, more than seven months after seizing power and imposing harsh restrictions on the rights of women to be educated.
All schools were closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic when the Taliban took over last August — but only boys and some younger girls were allowed to resume classes two months later.

The international community has made the right to education for all a sticking point in negotiations over aid and recognition of the new regime, with several nations and organisations offering to pay teachers.

The education ministry said schools would reopen Wednesday across several provinces, including the capital Kabul, but those in the southern region of Kandahar, the Taliban’s spiritual heartland, will not open until next month. No reason was given.