The Taliban asked authorities to shutter girls out of middle and high schools in Afghanistan on Wednesday, according to notice by the Ministry of Education. "We inform all girls high schools and those schools that are having female students above class six that they are off until the next order," the Ministry of Education notice said. The announcement came a day after the spokesman for the Education Ministry released a video congratulating students on returning to classes. The Education Ministry had announced it would open schools for all students, including girls, beginning Wednesday.
The notice added school for girls would reopen once a plan was drawn up in accordance with "Islamic law and Afghan culture." Footage from Afghanistan media outlets showed girls breaking down in tears and protesting the sudden shift.