"Our fighters have assumed their responsibilities" by regaining power, Abdul Baqui Haqqani declared at a press conference in Kabul. in which he stressed the importance of the university system.

The West accuses the Taliban of wanting to neglect education.

“From now on, the responsibility for the reconstruction of the country rests with the universities. And we are hopeful, because the number of universities has increased considerably ”compared to the time of the first Taliban regime (1996-2001), he insisted.

"This makes us optimistic for the future, to build a prosperous and autonomous Afghanistan ... We must make good use of these universities," he added.

He also confirmed that the government will ban mixed classes in universities, allowed by the ousted government in mid-August.

“It does not pose any problem for us. They are Muslim and will accept it. We have decided to separate (men and women) because the mixed classes are contrary to the principles of Islam and our traditions, ”he said.

According to him, coeducation was imposed by the pro-Western government for the past 20 years despite the fact that universities requested separate classes between women and men.

The new Taliban government announced last week that it would allow women to study at university, under strict conditions: wear a full veil and in classes separated from men or divided by a curtain if there are few girls.

The announcement worries some universities, who say they do not have the material and financial means to adjust to the separation by sex and that this may encourage students (used to mixed classes) to leave the country to study abroad.

Source: AFP