The Taliban allow girls to take the final exam, but keep the education limit at sixth grade | Rare Techy

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik – 30 November 2022) Afghanistan’s ruling political movement, the Taliban (UN-sanctioned for terrorism), has decided to allow girls to take final exams, but kept the education threshold at sixth grade, according to a document. received by Sputnik.

In August 2021, the Taliban took over Afghanistan, prompting people to flee the country for fear of human rights abuses. The movement promised that women’s rights would not be violated, but high school girls were barred from classes and other restrictions were placed on women.

“The Education Minister has ordered local education department heads to start preparations for the final examination of Class 12 graduates; in this case only a woman can conduct the examinations and hijab is mandatory for female students,” the document said.

Girls are barred from studying beyond the 6th standard, so many are worried about taking the exam. Salima Azizi, a local resident, told Sputnik that she had not attended classes for more than a year and did not know how to pass the exam.

Former teacher Sadia Hussaini said the government should allow girls to study.

“It is important to allow girls to go to school and learn subjects. They (Taliban) should allow girls to study beyond the sixth grade,” Husayni told Sputnik.

In September, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan once again urged the authorities to allow girls to continue their education and expressed concern that the ban could worsen the country’s crisis, including insecurity and poverty.

According to a UNICEF report released in August, the country’s economy has lost at least $500 million over the past 12 months, or 2.5% of GDP, because girls in Afghanistan are not receiving secondary education. If three million girls were able to complete their education and enter the workforce, they would bring at least $5.4 billion to Afghanistan’s economy, the report added.