KABUL, 27 November 2021, (TON): Hundreds of Afghan girls took entrance exams for a Turkish foundation in Kabul that runs some of Afghanistan's most highly regarded schools, despite a delay by the Taliban in allowing the 13-year-olds to return to the classroom.

Reza Parsa, a school official, said “some 3,500 students sat the highly competitive exams for the Afghan-Turk school system, with girls making up almost 40% of candidates.”

The move came despite the Taliban government's delay in authorising girls above grade 7 - aged about 13 - to return to school following a ban imposed when the movement seized power in August.

The Educational Councillor at Kabul's Turkish Embassy, Changez Idmir, said "we want all girls to be educated. This is our president's and our government's wish and that of Afghans.”

Facing mounting global pressure, the Taliban have said “they will allow older girls to resume classes once arrangements are made to ensure they can do so in conformity with what the movement considers proper Islamic standards.”