“We hope IEA’s sixth year brings good news of schools, universities reopening to… — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): As the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) begins its sixth year in power, a number of girls deprived of schooling and university education are calling on the authorities to end their years-long wait and allow them to return to schools and universities within the framework of Sharia, while stressing their commitment to observing Islamic hijab. Following the IEA’s return to power on August 15, 2021, education for girls above the sixth grade was suspended. In December of the same year, universities were also ordered to suspend the education of female students and women until further notice. At the time, IEA officials said they were working on a plan regarding the issue and that girls would be allowed to resume their education in schools and universities once the plan was completed. However, the plan has yet to be implemented. Yalda Ahmadzai, a resident of Kabul’s 16th district who was studying in eighth grade at Qala-i-Zaman Khan Girls’ High School in 2021, told Pajhwok Afghan News that had education for girls above the sixth grade not been suspended, she would have graduated by now. She said: “For several years, whenever the new academic year approaches, I tell myself that perhaps this year we will be allowed to return to school. I have still kept my books and notebooks and dream…