Afghan schoolgirls are finishing sixth grade in tears. Under Taliban rule, their education is over

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Afghan schoolgirls are facing a distressing situation as they complete sixth grade, as their educational journey comes to an abrupt end under Taliban rule.

On December 11, 13-year-old Bahara Rustam attended her final class at Bibi Razia School in Kabul, fully aware that this marked the conclusion of her formal education. The Taliban’s decree, issued in September 2021, shortly after the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops following a two-decade-long conflict in Afghanistan, prohibits girls from pursuing education beyond the sixth grade.

In a further blow, the Taliban expanded this ban to include universities in December 2022. Despite international condemnation and warnings that such restrictions would hinder their recognition as the country’s legitimate rulers, the Taliban have remained steadfast in their stance.

U.N. special envoy Roza Otunbayeva expressed grave concern recently, highlighting the risk of an entire generation of Afghan girls falling behind due to these oppressive policies.

Although an official from the Education Ministry indicated that Afghan girls could still attend religious schools called madrassas, traditionally reserved for boys, Otunbayeva questioned whether these institutions offered a comprehensive curriculum covering modern subjects.

Bahara is determined to hold onto her education, diligently studying her textbooks at home, hoping to progress from sixth grade to seventh. However, the absence of a graduation ceremony at Bibi Razia School underscored the somber reality of the situation.

In a different part of Kabul, 13-year-old Setayesh Sahibzada contemplates an uncertain future, grieving the loss of her educational aspirations. Her dreams of becoming a teacher are now dashed as she grapples with the harsh reality of being denied access to school.

Analyst Muhammad Saleem Paigir has cautioned that excluding women and girls from education will have dire consequences for Afghanistan, emphasizing the vital role of literacy in achieving freedom and prosperity.

The Taliban’s restrictions have not only confined women to their homes but also denied them access to public spaces and most employment opportunities, exacerbating the challenges faced by Afghan women and girls.

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More about Education Struggle

• Taliban Bans Girls’ Education
• U.N. Special Envoy’s Concern
• Taliban’s Impact on Afghan Women
• Muhammad Saleem Paigir’s Perspective