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Transcript/Script AFGHAN GIRLS SCHOOLS (TV)
HEADLINE: Afghan Schoolgirls Dismayed by Taliban Decision to Bar Their Education
TEASER: Officials said the schools will remain closed until they come up with plans to reopen in accordance with Islamic law
PUBLISHED AT: (3/24/22 & 6:43p)
BYLINE: Waheed Faizi
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER: Waheed Faizi
VIDEO EDITOR: Kashif Waheed
SCRIPT EDITORS: BR, Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Afghan Service | AFP, AP REUTERS
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:28
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO))
[[Tens of thousands of Afghan girls had their hopes dashed Wednesday when the Taliban government abruptly reversed its decision to allow them to attend secondary school. They were sent home after just a few hours in class, as VOA’s Waheed Faizi reports.]]
((NARRATOR))
The Taliban’s decision to bar Afghan girls from attending secondary school is estimated to affect up to one million girls in the country.
Officials said the schools will remain closed until they come up with plans to reopen in accordance with Islamic law.
The move Wednesday, just after classes began, led to tears of hopelessness and disappointment as female students in secondary schools were told to return home.
((Mina Forogh, Eighth Grade Student)) ((Female in Pashto)) ((Skype))
“We were in the third hour of our class when our teacher came and said, ‘The Taliban are not allowing you to study.’ What is our fault? I am a girl — this is my fault? We were told to go home, and the school was closed.”
((NARRATOR))
Earlier in the week, the Ministry of Education said schools and classes for girls from the sixth grade and up would be open on Wednesday.
Now, students say, they have been told they cannot continue their education until further notice — dashing their aspirations to continue their education.
((Zakia Ibrahimi, Student)) ((Female in Dari)) ((Skype))
“I hope that the schools are open for girls as soon as possible and that the girls are given their rights.”
((Mina Forogh, Student)) ((Female in Pashto)) ((Skype))
“In Islam, seeking knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim man and woman. Then how can they justify telling us that wearing the hijab, praying and fasting is compulsory? And not seeking knowledge? What is our fault? God created us as girls. It was the worst day of my life.”
((NARRATOR))
A Taliban Education Ministry spokesperson did not specify whether the girls would be allowed to attend school in the future. But he did say the girls' tears are saddening to them.
((Aziz Ahmad Rayan, Taliban Education Ministry Spokesperson)) ((Male in Pashto))
“We value each Afghan girl's tears. Each drop of their tears is like drops of the entire nation's blood. But we, as the employees of the Islamic Emirate, do not have decision-making powers in such issues. We can only share the position of the Education Ministry with you. The decisions are with the leaders of our government.”
((NARRATOR))
The Taliban have been in power in Afghanistan since last August and had promised to work on a plan for the opening of girls' schools in the country. It is a promise they failed to keep when they first ruled the country over two decades ago and never allowed girls to attend school.
((Waheed Faizi, VOA News, Washington))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)washington D. C.
Embargo DateMarch 24, 2022 19:38 EDT
BylineWaheed Faizi, VOA News, Washington
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
