Afghanistan’s new rulers say they hope to be able to open all schools for girls across the country after late March, the Islamic Emirate’s spokesman told The Associated Press on Saturday, offering the first timeline for addressing a key demand of the international community.
Zabihullah Mujahid, who is also the deputy minister of culture and information, said their education departments are looking to open classrooms for all girls and women following the Afghan New Year, which starts on March 21.
Education for girls and women “is a question of capacity,” Mujahid said in the interview.Girls and boys must be completely segregated in schools, he said, adding that the biggest obstacle so far has been finding or building enough dorms, or hostels, where girls could stay while going to school.
In heavily populated areas, it is not enough to have separate classrooms for boys and girls – separate school buildings are needed, he said.
Since the IEA takeover in mid-August, girls in most of Afghanistan have not been allowed back to school beyond grade 7.
The international community is reluctant to formally recognize the new government until the new rulers live up to their promises.
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