By: Rukhshana Media
The Taliban implemented their latest gender segregation plan in Balkh University, based on which female students are allowed to attend their classes on odd days of the week and their male classmates on even days, local sources said.
The decision drew widespread criticism from the students and professors.
They said neither students, nor lecturers can spend up to eight straight hours in classrooms. The students attended their classes for three hours a day before the implementation of this plan.
Samira, an economics student at Balkh University, said spending from six to eight hours a day in the classroom is exhausting and it discourages students from studying. She added that taking seven credits in a full day is too much for students.
“Anyone gets tired of studying for a full day,” she said, adding that one day gap is the cause of discouragement because many students consider it a weekend.
The Taliban have so far imposed their gender segregation regulations on universities in Kabul and elsewhere in the country.
A professor at Balkh University, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said it is difficult for lecturers to “stand on their feet” for eight hours, and that the students also won’t be able to “absorb” the lectures for that long. She added that being on campus for a full day affects the personal and family life of lecturers and students.
“Most students have jobs, and they will lose their jobs because of this decision,” she said, “It leaves a negative impact on their mental health.”
