NPR

In a reversal, the Taliban bars Afghan girls from attending school beyond 6th grade

The rulers' decision — reneging on a previous promise — came at the start of the new school year in Afghanistan and risks further alienating the international community.

KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghanistan's Taliban rulers decided against opening schools to girls above the sixth grade, reneging on a previous promise and opting to appease their hardline base at the expense of further alienating the international community.

The unexpected decision, confirmed by a Taliban official Wednesday, came at the start of the new school year in Afghanistan. It is bound to disrupt Taliban efforts to win recognition from potential international donors, at a

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR3 min read
Why Protesters In Georgia Are Opposed To A 'Foreign Agents' Law And Why It Matters
More than 50,000 people took to the streets of the capital city Tbilisi over the weekend to protest against proposed legislation that critics say is modeled on a Russian law used to crush dissent.
NPR4 min readWorld
In Gaza, A Hidden Threat Could Kill Palestinians Even After A Cease-fire
The United Nations says 7,500 metric tons of unexploded ordnance litter the Gaza Strip. The U.N. says it could take 14 years to dispose of these dangers.
NPR1 min read
Deadline Extended: NPR Student Podcast Challenge entries are now due May 31
Entries for our sixth annual contest for middle and high school students (and our first-ever fourth grade competition) are now due Friday, May 31 at midnight E.T.

Related Books & Audiobooks