Taliban open public universities

KABUL: For the first time since it took over Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban has opened some public universities, a step towards meeting the international demand of right to education, one of the prime conditions need to have hopes of getting global recognition for the current administration.

While some public universities were reopened in Afghanistan, the attendance of women was very limited. The Taliban have said that women will be allowed to come to universities, as a segregated set-up will be maintained based on gender.

"It is a moment of joy for us that our classes have started," said Zarlashta Haqmal, a law and political science student at Nangarhar University.

"But we are still worried that the Taliban might stop them", he added, expressing fear of continuity of the initiative under the Taliban government.

In the first phase, universities in Laghman, Nangarhar, Kandahar, Nimroz, Farah and Helmand provinces have been opened, while more are scheduled to be opened in the coming days.

Even though the reopening of universities is a positive step, it seems that education under the Taliban leadership has come with some visible requirements and conditions.

Women, who were seen going to the universities were wearing a full-body covered burqa, while the men, who attended the universities were seen wearing traditional tunics aka Salwar Kameez. The university gates were guarded by Taliban fighters, while a machine gun, mounted on a tripod rested on the entrance gate. (IANS)

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