Afghan students and activists called on the Islamic Emirate to reopen those schools that remain closed to females across the country.  

According to the officials, girl students of secondary and high school have been allowed to attend schools in seven of 34 provinces.  

Some female students, worried about their uncertain future, accused the Islamic Emirate of selective treatment in the reopening of some schools but not others. 

“We want to go to school. The Islamic Emirate should not apply a double standard to allow girls in some provinces to go to school but then ban them in other provinces,” said Sahar, a student.  

Officials in the Education Ministry said are reopening the schools across the country, but not all at once.   

“We reopened the schools gradually. The reopening of schools for girl students is important. We are working to facilitate proper conditions and a safe environment,” said Nazar Mohammad Irfan, spokesman for the Education Ministry.  

The employees of the Education Ministry voiced concerns over being unpaid for the past three months.  

“I haven’t been paid for the past three months. The men of the family are also jobless. We are struggling with a lot of problems” said Halima, an employee of the ministry.  

All girl students are currently allowed to attend the schools in Balkh, Samangan, Sar-e-Pul, Jawzjan, Kunduz, Herat and Zabul provinces.  

“We are the future makers of this country. The Islamic Emirate should help us to take part in the development of the country,” said Khadija, a student.  

The Islamic Emirate banned girl schools for grades 7 to 12 in many provinces. The officials said earlier that the government was working on schemes to provide educational opportunities for Afghan girls.