The Taliban have banned girls above the sixth grade from attending private educational centers in Herat, according to a letter issued by the Taliban’s Education Department in the province on Tuesday.
The letter referenced an order from the Taliban’s supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, enforcing a ban on education for girls above the sixth grade in private centers “until further notice.”
The letter instructed educational centers to ensure the directive is implemented.
Meanwhile, the head of an educational center said, “Today, the letter has been received by all educational centers in Herat.”
Samira*, a student in a pre-TOEFL course, said that the Taliban had warned the center’s management that if a male teacher were seen in girls’ classes, all educational centers would be shut down.
“Last week, our teacher told us that the Taliban had warned him that if they see him in a girls’ class, they will close all courses,” she said.
Fariba*,24, another student at an educational center, said. “I was walking through an alley leading to my educational center, wearing hijab but without a mask when the Taliban’s vice and virtue police suddenly stopped me. They asked which educational center I belonged to, then imprisoned the course director at their office for two hours.”
Last month, the Taliban shut down and sealed all women-only coffee shops in Herat city.
Note*: Names have been changed for security reasons.
