Taleban to reopen public universities, no word on female students

[KABUL] Afghanistan's public universities, closed since the Taleban seized power in August, will reopen in February, the Taleban acting higher education minister said on Sunday, without specifying whether female students would be able to return.

Universities in warmer provinces will reopen from Feb 2, while those in colder areas would reopen on Feb 26, the minister, Shaikh Abdul Baqi Haqqani, told a news conference in Kabul.

He did not say what arrangements if any would be made for female students. In the past, Taleban officials have suggested that women could be taught in separate classes.

So far, the Taleban government has reopened high schools for boys only in most parts of the country. Some private universities have reopened, but in many cases female students have not been able to return to class.

Western governments have made education for female students a part of their demands as the Taleban seek more foreign aid and the unfreezing of overseas assets.

The hardline group took over the country on Aug 15 as foreign forces withdrew. REUTERS