Afghanistan, March 26 -- Afghanistan's new school year began on Thursday without girls above grade six returning to classrooms, extending for a fifth straight year the Taliban's ban on secondary education for girls.
The Taliban's Education Ministry said the 1405 academic year opened in Kabul with senior officials attending a formal ceremony, while schools in colder provinces also resumed classes.
The continued exclusion of girls has drawn renewed concern from Afghan students, families and rights groups, who say another year has begun with millions of girls still shut out of classrooms.
UNICEF's regional director for South Asia, Sanjay Wijesekera, said the new school year should bring hope for all Afghan children and urged the reopening o...