Educational centers in Herat province that have strict gender segregation plans in place are tentatively resuming classes for girls and women, according to sources close to the matter.
Ahmad*, a principal of one of the centers who requested not to use his name, told Rukhshana Media that a number of educational centers authorities in the province have accepted a Taliban-set gender segregation plan that completely separates boys and girls classes.
But there is still a tangible sense of fear among those involved in the undertaking, Our reporter in Herat had confirmation from three educational centers that they were resuming classes for female students. However, all three asked not to be named in this report due to security concerns.
A female employee of one of the educational centers said that the buildings used for boys and girls are completely separate based on gender, and a female employee has been hired to carry out the administrative affairs of the educational center for the girls.
Nazanin*, a teacher in the English language department in one of Herat city’s language schools, said that the center has been split between its floors with access to the lower levels reserved for male teachers and students, and the upper two floors reserved for female students and teachers.
“The entrance gate is also separate and the building is separated into two parts for girls and boys and there is a high wall between them,” she said.
An office worker in a third language training center said that the process of registering female students began on Saturday and classes will be formed in the coming days.
“During the vacation, some students took their lessons online, and now we called them to come to the center and get information about the time of face-to-face lessons at the center,” she said.
Romina*, 28, has registered with her sister in one of the language training centers in Herat after learning about the reopening.
She said that she is struggling to learn the language and wants to pass the TOEFL language test after a year of training.
Romina, who had been a student of economics at one of the private universities in Herat province, said that she hopes to apply to one of the American universities in the United States after spending a year of language training.
Ghazal*, a 29-year old resident of Herat, has been engaged to one of her relatives in Germany for five months. She said during the time when girls were not allowed to go to educational centers, she went to a friend’s house and studied German; But now with the reopening of educational centers for girls in Herat, she can learn more in this field.
The gates of schools have been closed to girls above sixth grade since the Taliban claimed power in Afghanistan 21 months ago, with the group later extending the ban to universities.
So far, the Taliban has avoided saying when schools will reopen despite repeatedly saying they were not against education for girls. Excuses around gender segregation do not apply to girls-only schools, but these also closed.
Last week, the acting Minister of Education for the Taliban Sayed Habibullah Agha said during a trip to Panjshir Province that the conditions for reopening schools for girls are not yet favorable.
*Note: Names have been changed to pseudonyms at the interviewees request.
