The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sher Mohammad Abas Stanekzai, met with the International Program Director of Save the Children, Nora Ingdal, and her accompanying delegation.

The delegation of Save the Children told TOLOnews that Stanekzai assured them that children’s access to education and health facilities is the priority of the Islamic Emirate.

“The deputy foreign minister thanked Save the Children for its humanitarian activities, adding that decades of war in Afghanistan has affected both children and adults,” said Abdul Qahar Balkhi, a spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This comes as the Islamic Emirate said earlier it had established a committee comprised of nine members to facilitate the reopening of girls’ schools.

However, the Islamic Emirate has not provided details about the progress of the committee's activities.

“There is no information in this regard. We relate this issue to the statement of the Ministry of Education,” said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.

Earlier, the Ministry of Education said the decision about the girls’ school beyond grade six belongs to the leadership of the Islamic Emirate.

“As long as there is not a serious intention to include women and to respect their rights and value their education in Afghan society, such formats cannot be effective,” said Marriam Maroof Aryan, a female rights activist.

“There should be no game with the future of the girls. Please reopen the doors of the schools for female students beyond grade six,” said Omar Zada, a teacher.

Earlier, UNICEF said that it will facilitate 15,000 classes for children across Afghanistan.