Learning begins in Afghanistan: The Taliban curtain divides girls and boys into classes

Learning resumes in Afghanistan, a big curtain separates girls and boys in class

Students in Afghanistan are returning to universities after weeks of absence, as Taliban have taken full control of the country.

Meanwhile, the West has eyes on Afghanistan, while setting conditions for Taliban to respect women's rights in order to continue diplomatic engagement.

When the Taliban ruled for the last time from 1996-2001, the group banned girls from school and women from university and labour. Despite the Taliban spokesman's said women's rights would be respected in accordance with Islamic law, it is unclear what this means in practice.

Teachers and students at universities in the largest cities of Afghanistan, Kabul, Kandahar and Herat told Reuters that students stay separate from the boys, not to be in contact with them.

“As soon as I got into class, I felt bad. Placeing curtains is unacceptable. We are turning 20 years after”, said Anjla, a 21-year-old student at Kabul University. According to 21-year-old, even before the Taliban invasion, girls sat separately from boys in banks.

Meanwhile, female teachers are required to teach female students. It is unclear whether the document, Reuters says, represents the official policy of the Taliban.

The Taliban announced last week that schooling should resume, but men and women must separate.