JAKARTA - The Taliban's education minister said high school students could take this week's exam in 31 of the country's 34 provinces, a funny announcement by students saying they were unable to attend classes.
The directive was announced in two documents obtained by the Associated Press, which were signed by the book Ehsanullah, head of Kabul's education department.
Millions of girls across the country have been barred from school for more than a year, causing widespread international condemnation and protests among Afghan students, fearing their own future.
The Taliban allows most elementary school students to attend classes, although restrictions for girls remain and vary from province to province.
"This is ridiculous," said Najela, 18, from Kabul, who only mentioned his first name for fear of reprisals, as reported by The National News December 7. He will now be in grade 12 and qualify for the exam.
"We spent a full year under pressure and pressure and haven't read a single page of our textbook."
"How can we take the exam after a year and a half the Taliban closed the school door?" asked Najela.
Successfully taking power in August last year, the Taliban are expected to continue classes for girls, after representatives appear to soften their longstanding opposition to women's education.
But in March after a six-month hiatus due to the impact of the transition to the full Taliban government the group said schools would resume for girls only in the right conditions.
Some analysts say the Taliban are divided on how to proceed and the deputy foreign minister of the Taliban, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, said she supports women's education.
However, no decision has yet been made to reopen schools, although some schools have been permitted by local Taliban authorities in several districts.
Women are not denied access to universities under the Taliban. The implication of the latest development is that Afghan girls who obtained high school diplomas after Wednesday's exam will be able to sign up for university, but have only one day to take exams in 14 subjects, with 10 questions each.
The principal, speaking on condition of anonymity, also for fear of reprisals, said most female students did not have textbooks.
"Giving an exam is meaningless," he said.
It is known that their female students and teachers must all wear headscarves under the Taliban dress code for women, with cell phones prohibited during the exam.
Girls who are unable to attend or fail Wednesday's exam will be allowed to take another exam in mid-March, following a winter holiday.
The Taliban's treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan has come under strong criticism. This month, a team of UN experts said it might be a crime against humanity and should be investigated and prosecuted under international law, a charge the group rejected.
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