Girls returned to class Wednesday in the Afghan capital after the Taliban announced the reopening of secondary schools, more than seven months after seizing power and placing severe limitations on women's educational rights.

When the Taliban seized power in August, all schools were closed due to the Covid-19 outbreak – but only boys and some younger girls were allowed to resume lessons two months later.

The international world has made universal access to education a matter of contention in negotiations over funding and recognition of the new regime. Some nations and organizations are proposing to compensate instructors.

The education ministry said that schools in numerous provinces — including the capital Kabul — would reopen on Wednesday. Still, those in the southern district of Kandahar, the Taliban's spiritual heartland, will not return until next month. There was no explanation provided.

On Wednesday morning, AFP journalists observed multiple groups of females entering the capital's school grounds.

An AFP correspondent reported that hundreds of students had gathered at Zarghona High School, one of the largest in the capital, by 7:00 a.m. (0230 GMT).

At the capital's Rabia Balkhi School, scores of girls had gathered at the gate, anxious to be admitted.

Other provinces such as Herat and Panjshir were yet to open their schools.

According to the ministry, reopening the schools has always been a government goal, and the Taliban have never bowed to pressure.

"We are not reopening the schools to appease the international community, nor are we doing so to gain international recognition," a ministry spokesman said.

"We're doing this as part of our obligation to provide education and other services to our students," he told AFP.

The Taliban stated they wanted to ensure segregated schools for girls aged 12 to 19 that adhered to Islamic norms.

'How will our future unfold?'

Some children expressed excitement at the prospect of returning — even if it meant adhering to a strict Taliban dress code.

"We are already behind in our studies," Raihana Azizi, 17, explained as she dressed for class in a black abaya, a headscarf, and a veil covering her face.

The Taliban have enforced various restrictions on women, effectively excluding them from numerous government professions, monitoring their attire, and prohibiting them from traveling alone beyond their cities.

Additionally, they have detained several women's rights advocates.

Despite the reopening of schools, impediments to girls returning to education continue, with many families fearful of the Taliban and unwilling to allow their daughters to leave the house.

Others believe that girls should not learn at all.

"Those girls who have completed their education have ended up at home, with an uncertain future," said Heela Haya, a 20-year-old Kandahar resident who has decided to drop out of school.

Afghan students frequently skip significant portions of the school year due to poverty or violence, and some continue classes far into their late teens or early twenties.

Human Rights Watch also questioned the girls' motivation to study.

"Why would you and your family make enormous sacrifices for you to study if you will never have the career you desire?" remarked Sahar Fetrat, a group assistant researcher.

The education ministry admitted a teacher shortfall, with many teachers among the tens of thousands who fled the nation when the Taliban stormed to power.

"We require thousands of teachers and are attempting to fill this need by hiring new teachers on a temporary basis," the official stated.