Afghan public universities reopen with gender segregated classes | Women’s Rights News

Afghanistan’s most important universities have reopened six months after the Taliban returned to energy, however solely a trickle of ladies have returned to now-segregated courses.

Most secondary faculties for women and all public universities have been shuttered following the Taliban’s August 15 takeover, sparking fears girls can be barred from schooling – as occurred through the first rule of the Taliban, from 1996-2001.

The Taliban insist they are going to enable women and girls to be educated this time round – however solely in segregated courses and in accordance with an Islamic curriculum. The courses for female and male college students will likely be carried out at totally different occasions, in accordance with the ToloNews.

“I’m blissful 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, “Possibly as a result of some have left the nation.”

Tens of 1000’s 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.

No less than 19 universities and academic institutes have been reopened, reported the Kabul-based ToloNews quoting the Ministry of Increased Schooling.

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 nicely with us … they have been impolite,” she stated.

One other English scholar, Maryam, stated solely seven girls attended her class.

“Earlier than we have 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.

College students stroll alongside the courtyard at Badakshan College in Faizabad after Afghanistan’s most important universities re-opened [Omer Abrar/AFP]

No college students in Panjshir

An analogous image emerged from campuses throughout the nation, though no college students returned to class at Panjshir College.

“I have no idea if they are going to 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 college head, stated a number of school rooms destroyed in that preventing had nonetheless not been repaired.

The Taliban have stated beforehand that ladies 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, nonetheless, appeared dressed no otherwise 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 advised AFP.

Afghan college students stroll in the direction of their college in Kabul, Afghanistan [Hussein Malla/AP Photo]

In Herat, the traditional Silk Highway metropolis close to the Iranian border and as soon as one of many Islamic world’s most essential mental centres, college students additionally complained a few lack of tutors.

“A few of our professors have additionally left the nation, however we’re blissful 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 advised to not exit of our courses,” she advised AFP.

“There is no such thing as a cafeteria any extra … we aren’t 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 girls – together with banning them from many authorities jobs.

Western sanctions and the freezing of Kabul’s property price billions of {dollars} within the wake of Taliban seize have pushed Afghanistan’s financial 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 going through meals insecurity.

Source