The residents of the southern province of Uruzgan urged the Islamic Emirate to reopen schools for female students in grades 6-12.

The female students above grade six expressed concerns and said that they are facing an uncertain future.

“In Islam, the women have the right to be educated, to go to work and to have responsibilities,” said Nafisa, a student in grade 12.

“When a woman studies, she is not only helping herself but can be useful in the family and society,” Madina said.

The provincial officials said that they are waiting for the decision of the leadership of the Islamic Emirate regarding the reopening of girls’ schools.

“The schools are opened up to grade 6. We are waiting for the decision of the leaders of the Islamic Emirate regarding the girls’ schools above grade,” said Khairuddin Haqnuma, head of the provincial department of education.

This comes as some Islamic clerics and residents of Uruzgan also urged the Islamic Emirate to reopen the schools for girls beyond grade six.

“I have seen a dentist working on the teeth of a woman. Neither the Quran, nor Shariah allows it. Women should be educated to become doctors and teachers,” said Qahir Taqat, an Islamic cleric.

“When women are not educated we don’t have female doctors, we have patients at home and we cannot take the male doctors into the home, so let girls learn,” said Sediqullah, a resident of Uruzgan.

It has been more than 400 days since the schools for female students in grades 6-12 have been closed.

However, the Islamic Emirate said that they are working on a plan to facilitate the reopening of schools for female students above grade six, but there is no exact information that when the plan will be finalized.