The ban has been imposed on girls in seventh grade and above.

On Thursday, MEPs adopted a resolution which called for a reversal of these restrictions, while noting previous commitments by the Taliban that they would ensure access to education for all citizens.

MEPs deplored the steadily deteriorating situation of women and girls in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, reports Greek City Tims.

Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom, USA and several other nations have condemned the Taliban’s decision not to re-open secondary schools to Afghan girls.

"We are united in our condemnation of the Taliban’s decision on March 23 to deny so many Afghan girls the opportunity to finally go back to school.  The Taliban’s action contradicted its public assurances to the Afghan people and to the international community," read a statement issued by the foreign ministers of several nations.

"The decision came after months of work by the international community to support teacher stipends based on an expectation that schools would be open for all, with the higher interest of Afghan students and teachers in mind.  And sadly, it came as eager Afghan girls were walking to their schools for the first time in seven months," it said.

The ministers urged the Taliban government to reverse the decision.