Private schools for girls not allowed to reopen: MoE

KABUL (Pajhwok): Over the past few days, reports are circulating on social media that 47 private schools have been allowed to provide secondary education to girls.

However, the Ministry of Education (MoE) in Kabul has scorned such reports as baseless and far from true.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) closed girls’ schools above sixth grade after it came to power in August 2021.

The decision has been widely criticised, but the authorities have repeatedly said girls’ education would be allowed to resume once a suitable environment was created for them.

Claim: 47 private schools in Kabul allowed to teach girl students above sixth grade.

Some people say 47 private schools have been given permission to provide education to girls above sixth grade in Kabul.

Last week, political affairs analyst Salim Paigar told a private media outlet: “There is a matter I want to share with you. I’m very happy today. My daughter was promoted to 9^th grade today.”

He added: “Questions may arise for some people with permission granted to 47 private schools. My daughter sat the exams, conducted by a representative of MoE. It was not under the name of any school, education centre or seminary.

“Give it whatever name you want to, but believe me, my daughter remained at school from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Schools previously offered 40 percent religious studies and 60 percent modern education, but the equation is now 50-50.”

After Paigar’s claim, some other people also came up with similar statements on social media platforms.

Sonia Niazi wrote on X: “Good news, yesterday 47 schools in Kabul were allowed to educate girls above the sixth grade. The residents of Kabul are very happy that their daughters have resumed secondary education. These 47 schools are private and have a suitable environment.”

Nadima, another X user, wrote: “We were hoping for this day when schools will open for Afghan girls. Today our dream has come true … We hope public schools will also reopen for girls.”

Some other social media users held similar views in this regard.

Fact check

In a statement, MoE said some people and media released untrue reports the ministry had given permission to 47 private schools to teach girls above the sixth grade.

It said: “The Ministry of Education rejects such reports as untrue and far from credible.”

The MoE leadership once again asked all media outlets in the country to prepare and publish their reports based on the accepted principles of journalism and Afghan society.

Preparing reports on the basis of truth ensured the dignity and credibility of journalists on the one hand and helped the media play a constructive role in enlightening the minds of the people on the other, the ministry commented.

MoE called on all Afghans to join hands and take concrete steps for the reconstruction, prosperity and development of their war-torn country.

Outcome: Various sources said that the MoE had allowed 47 private schools to provide education to girls above sixth grade, a claim was rejected by the ministry.

Verdict: Reports about permission granted to 47 private schools to provide education to girls above the sixth grade are untrue, because the MoE itself has rejected it.

sa/mud