Afghan Universities Reopen But Only Few Women Return

Afghanistan’s main universities have reopened six months after the Taliban returned to power, but only a trickle of women returned to now-segregated classes.

Most secondary schools for girls and all public universities were shut following the Taliban’s August 15 takeover. Just like their first rule from 1996-2001, the move sparked fear that women would be barred from education.

The Taliban insist they will allow girls and women to be educated this time around — but only in segregated classes and according to an Islamic curriculum.

Some public tertiary institutions in the south of the country resumed last month, but on Saturday Kabul University, the oldest and biggest with a student body of around 25,000 last year, re-opened without fanfare — and just a few students in attendance.

Taliban guards refused journalists access to the sprawling campus and chased away media teams lingering near the entrance. However, students who moved away from the gates, expressed mixed feelings after their first day back.

“I am happy that the university resumed… we want to continue our studies,” said an English major. According to her, there are some difficulties, like students being scolded by Taliban guards for bringing their mobile phones to class.

“They did not behave well with us… they were rude,” she said.

Another English student, said only seven women attended her class which also suffered from a shortage of lecturers. Many believe some absentees may have left the country.”

Tens of thousands of Afghans fled the country as the Taliban stormed back to power — among them teachers and lecturers who had been vociferously critical of the hardline Islamist group.

No country has yet recognized the new regime, which has imposed several restrictions on women — including banning them from many government jobs.

Other campuses across the country are although no students returned to class at Panjshir University, in the heartland of a nascent resistance to the Taliban’s rule.

The province of Panjshir was the last province to fall to the Taliban last year. Several of the classes were destroyed in the fighting.  Those classes’ classrooms still have not been repaired.

The Taliban had previously said that female students must wear a black abaya over their bodies and hijab on their heads, but stopped short of insisting on the all-covering burqa that was compulsory during their previous rule.

Several students, however, appeared dressed no differently Saturday than they would have before the Taliban takeover, with a simple shawl covering their heads.  Other changes that have been made to school life in the country include the banning of cafeterias. Students are also not allowed to go to the university’s courtyard.”