Taliban set separate days for boys and girls in universities

In Afghanistan, the Taliban government has set alternate days for boys and girls at Kabul universities to prevent sexual harassment. According to the media reports, under the Taliban's new plan, girls will go to university on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday whereas boys will go to university on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.

The Taliban's Ministry of Education says it has made the decision to prevent "sexual harassment" in universities, but several Kabul University teachers and students have told BBC Pashto Service that Taliban's new plan is "inappropriate".

Ahmad Taqi, a spokesman for the Taliban's Ministry of Education, said the new plan would provide a good opportunity for students and teachers to do research, but some Kabul University professors told BBC on condition of anonymity that Taliban’s new decision has nothing to do with the curriculum.

Ahmed Taqi told BBC that the process had just begun in two Kabul universities. However, this scheme is also being implemented in other government universities.

The Taliban government opposes co-education of boys and girls in universities. Another Kabul University professor, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the plan was nothing short of a blow to the education system and its structure.

Kabul University teachers say classrooms have been adapted to the needs of the education system and cannot complete their textbooks under the new design.

In the new Taliban scheme, classes start at 8 am and end at 3 pm with an interval of one hour in between. On the other hand, the students of Kabul University are also worried about this new structure of studies.

A Kabul University student, said it would increase pressure on students. In Afghanistan, the Taliban government has not only kept university students in constant trouble, but has also expelled girls above the sixth grade from school. The Taliban's harsh treatment against women and girls has provoked strong reactions at home and abroad.