Halimi was instructed to dismiss all male teachers at girls' schools and replace them with women because the militants believed that men should not teach girls. The government complied with this demand in order to prevent the schools from being forcibly shut down. Unfortunately, even Farah's schools were not exempt from this directive. Last month, armed men on motorcycles set fire to two girls' schools near Farah city on consecutive nights, causing significant damage and destroying teaching materials, resulting in the indefinite suspension of classes for nearly 1,700 girls. Graffiti with the words "Long live the Islamic Emirate" was found on a nearby wall, indicating the involvement of the Taliban. According to police spokesman Muhibullah Muhib, four other girls' schools in the province have also been targeted in recent months, instilling fear among teachers, students, and their families. These attacks have sparked concerns about a potential return to the oppressive rule of the Taliban as negotiations for a peace deal continue between the militants and the United States. Until 2001, girls' education was illegal and women were restricted to their homes under the Taliban government. Today, over 3.6 million Afghan girls are attending school and 100,000 women are enrolled in universities. However, in recent months, around 400 schools have closed due to security concerns such as armed conflict and threats from the Taliban. The recent bombings in Farah highlighted the ongoing fear among Afghan women that a future government involving the Taliban could once again restrict girls' education, despite assurances from Taliban leaders in Qatar about supporting women's rights under Islamic law. Sosan Aubi, a 38-year-old teacher at a school targeted in last month's arson attacks, expressed disappointment in the aftermath of the explosion, stating that she and her colleagues had been hopeful for peace due to the Qatar talks. Nayab Khan, a grocer from the village whose family members had attended the burned school, voiced skepticism towards the Taliban's claims of change, citing the continued violence against schools and girls' education. Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesperson, denied any involvement in the attacks and pledged to investigate and punish any perpetrators. Mujahid stated that if the schools were to open again, there would be no threat from the Taliban. However, frustrated local residents noted that the schools were located in Taliban-controlled areas and government officials were unable to assess the damage. Dadullah Qani, a member of the Farah provincial council, expressed concern that the attacks indicated the government was losing control of the province, stating that the security situation was worsening with each passing day. Provincial government officials and village elders noted that both the government and ordinary people are unable to prevent attacks like the ones that occurred. The attacks revealed a division within the Taliban, with some civil authorities supporting girls' education while some military commanders opposed it. The Taliban have established shadow governments in areas they control, collecting taxes and overseeing daily operations. A delegation of village elders met with government officials to request the rebuilding of schools, but were informed that the government lacked the ability to intervene and were advised to approach local Taliban leaders instead. Halimi mentioned that a group of approximately 50 villagers was thinking about restarting classes in tents on a temporary basis. Residents in the area confirmed that Taliban education officials had been in touch with leaders of provincial schools to discuss the possibility of reopening, but they needed time to negotiate with Taliban military commanders. Mohammad Azimi, the education director of the province, stated that he had requested assistance from parents and students to help with the reopening of schools. At Sher Ali Khan school in Naw Deh village, located about 8 miles from Farah city, the windows were shattered and the walls were damaged. Inside, burnt desks and school papers were scattered around. A plaque at the school entrance displayed Afghan and American flags and a message indicating that the U.S. Agency for International Development had assisted in constructing the school in 2005. The U.S. flag on the plaque had been partially scratched out. The agency's office in Kabul stated that they were not currently funding the school, but it may have been a past project. The school principal, Abdul Rahman, reported that five masked men tied up the night watchman, poured fuel inside the school, and set it on fire on April 15. Additionally, they detonated a small explosive device inside the school office. School records, student supplies, and academic textbooks were set on fire, but the attackers chose not to destroy Islamic religious texts, according to Rahman. Rahman expressed concern that all the girls are now afraid, and even if the school reopens, they may not return. Abdul Hamid Haidari, a 45-year-old shopkeeper, revealed that his three daughters attended Sher Ali Khan school. He mentioned that his daughter Roya, who was supposed to graduate and become a teacher, may not be able to achieve her dream anymore as her school transcripts were destroyed in the attack. Haidari shared that Roya and her sisters were devastated when they heard about the incident. He expressed his determination to educate all of his children, including his daughters and four sons, and had made sacrifices to send them to school despite the dangerous security conditions. He had hoped that the peace talks would improve the situation, but after their school was destroyed, his hopes have diminished. Qani, a member of the provincial council, talked about the fear and lack of trust in the community following the attacks on schools. He mentioned that the attacks may have achieved their goal as many parents are now scared to send their daughters back to school. "Today they destroy school buildings," Qani said. "Will students be attacked by them tomorrow?" - c.2019 New York Times News Service.