Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), says the government is working to resolve the issue of girls’ education beyond grade six.

Speaking on the “Government in the Media Mirror” program on Sunday, Mujahid said the issue remains under review and efforts are ongoing to address what he described as a gap in the country’s education system.

He said one in every four Afghans is currently engaged in education, adding that expanding education, developing higher education, strengthening scientific research and improving human resources remain among the government’s priorities.

Mujahid’s remarks come as girls above grade six have remained barred from secondary schools in Afghanistan since the IEA returned to power in 2021. The authorities have repeatedly said the issue is being considered but have not announced a timeline for reopening secondary schools to girls.

According to Mujahid, 238 new schools and religious schools were built across Afghanistan over the 1447 Islamic Hijri year, while 970 others were renovated or rebuilt.

He said more than 38,000 public and private schools are currently operating across the country, with more than 7.62 million students enrolled. More than 2.4 million students are also studying at religious schools, he added.

Mujahid further said more than 212,000 students are enrolled in public and private universities, while over 77,855 students are studying at technical and vocational schools and institutes.

He also said the General Directorate of Examinations held 53 university entrance examination sessions last year, with 189,169 candidates participating.

On scientific research, Mujahid said 14 research projects were completed and 164 scientific papers were published by the Academy of Sciences during the past year. He added that 100 conferences and six scientific seminars were also held, while work continues on 192 research projects.

The United States has deported dozens of people to the Central African Republic, including a young Afghan whose family members had worked with US forces, according to his lawyer and human rights organizations.

The Afghan man, who is in his early 20s, had been protected by a US court from being sent back to Afghanistan, his lawyer, Alma David, said.

AfghanEvac, which supports Afghans who assisted the United States, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union and Human Rights First, confirmed that he was among those deported.

One of his brothers, who now lives in the United States, served in the former Afghan National Army alongside US forces. Another brother was a US-trained pilot.

The New York Times, which referred to the Afghan man as Khalil, reported that his father and sister had also worked with US forces.

The deportation flight arrived in Bangui, the Central African Republic’s capital, on Saturday. It carried 12 Afghans and eight Iranians, as well as several nationals from Nepal and Nicaragua, according to Savi Arvey of Human Rights First.

Human Rights First said the flight was the third deportation operation from the United States to the Central African Republic this year.

The deportations are part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration crackdown, which has included sending migrants to countries with which they have little or no connection under agreements reached with third governments.

The US State Department currently advises Americans against traveling to the Central African Republic, warning of potential risks including unrest, crime, kidnapping, health concerns and terrorism.

According to a statement from the Afghan Embassy in Indonesia, the two sides discussed expanding bilateral relations, religious and cultural cooperation, exchanging experiences between scholars from the two countries, and holding joint programs and meetings.

They also emphasized strengthening ties between religious institutions in Afghanistan and Indonesia and continuing contacts and joint cooperation.

Saadullah Baluch, Afghanistan’s acting ambassador to Jakarta, was also present at the meeting.