Afghanistan To Reopen Campuses Closed After Coup

KABUL - State universities in Afghanistan which were closed since the Taliban took power in August will reopen in February 2020. This was conveyed by the acting Taliban minister of higher education Shaikh Abdul Baqi Haqqani, Sunday, January 30.

Universities in the warmer province will open from February 2, while in the cooler province from February 26, he said at a news conference in Kabul.

Haqqani did not explain whether female students could go to college again. In the past Taliban officials suggested that female students study in separate classes.

So far the Taliban government has reopened male-only high schools in most areas.

A number of private universities have also been opened, but in many cases the students have not been able to return to campus.

Western countries have made education for women one of their demands against the Taliban as the group seeks more foreign aid and cash in on assets abroad.

The Taliban took control of Afghanistan on August 15 when foreign troops left the country.