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Education Ministry reverses ban on schoolgirls over 12 singing in public
The Afghan Ministry of Education (MoE) has made a U-turn on the ban it imposed last week on schoolgirls over the age of 12 from singing in public.
On Wednesday, the MoE confirmed that schoolgirls over the age of 12 were with immediate effect banned from singing the national anthem or other group songs in public.
The decision immediately drew strong opposition from the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, social media users and others.
The rights watchdog said the ban was in violation of Afghan laws, the Constitution, and child rights.
But on Saturday, the MoE did a U-turn and said in a statement that the letter had been issued by the Kabul Education Department and “does not reflect the stance of the Ministry of Education.”
The statement noted that the issue was still under review and the ministry would oppose the department’s suggestion.
The MoE also stated that its leadership remained committed to supporting the right of all students, including girls, to participate in cultural, arts and sports events.
The controversial letter last week stated that the ban would apply to all government and private schools.
Women in particular slammed the decision, saying that sensitive decisions especially relating to gender should not be taken by educational institutions.
But the Ministry of Education said last week the decision was made following an order from the National Assembly and at the suggestion of families.
“According to the order of the Ministry of Education, all public and private schools should organize singing groups for female students so that their members are girls under 12 years old,” one official said.
Najiba Arian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, confirmed the ban at the time and said the decision was made following complaints by families due to the “heavy load of studies on the shoulders of the students in high school and middle school”.
The principals of schools were also warned that they will face legal action if they break the rules.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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