Halimi was instructed to dismiss all male teachers at girls' schools and replace them with women by the militants. The government complied with this demand to avoid any justification for the schools to be forcibly shut down. Despite this, Farah's schools were still targeted. Last month, two girls' schools located just outside Farah city, the provincial capital, were set on fire by armed men on motorcycles on two consecutive nights. Both schools suffered significant damage and the educational materials inside were destroyed, resulting in the suspension of classes for almost 1,700 girls. Graffiti found on a nearby wall expressed support for the Taliban, who have been responsible for similar attacks on four other girls' schools in the province in recent months, according to Muhibullah Muhib, a police spokesman. These incidents have not only instilled fear in teachers, students, and their families but have also sparked concerns about a potential return to the oppressive rule of the Taliban as they engage in peace negotiations with the United States. Until 2001, when the Taliban government was removed from power, girls' education was prohibited and women were restricted to their homes. Presently, over 3.6 million Afghan girls are attending school and 100,000 women are enrolled in universities, as reported by education ministries. However, approximately 400 schools, catering to both boys and girls, have shut down recently due to security concerns such as armed conflict and threats or attacks from the Taliban. The bombings in Farah occurred after Taliban representatives in Qatar, where negotiations with the Americans were taking place, expressed their support for women's rights within the framework of Islamic law, including the right to education. Despite these assurances, the school attacks in Farah have heightened concerns among Afghan women that any future government involving the Taliban could once again impose restrictions on girls' education. Sosan Aubi, a 38-year-old teacher at a school that was recently burned, expressed disappointment in the aftermath of the explosion, stating that she and her colleagues had initially been hopeful about peace prospects due to the Qatar talks. Nayab Khan, a village grocer whose family members attended one of the schools targeted, voiced skepticism towards the Taliban's claims of change, citing ongoing attacks on schools and obstacles to girls' education. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied involvement in the attacks, pledging to investigate and punish any perpetrators. Mujahid stated that if the schools were to reopen, there would not be any threat from their side. However, residents in the area expressed anger, noting that the schools were located in Taliban-controlled areas. They also mentioned that government officials were unable to access the schools to assess the damage. Dadullah Qani, a member of the Farah provincial council, commented that the attacks indicated a loss of government control in the province and that the security situation was worsening each day. Provincial government officials and village elders have stated that both the government and ordinary people are unable to prevent attacks, as shown by recent incidents. The attacks have revealed a division among the Taliban, with civil authorities supporting girls' education while some military commanders oppose it. The Taliban run shadow governments in areas under their control, where they levy taxes and oversee daily operations. According to Halimi, the deputy education director, some Taliban members support girls' education while others do not. Village elders have reported meeting with government officials in Farah city to request the rebuilding of schools, but were informed that the government cannot intervene and were advised to approach local Taliban leaders instead. Halimi mentioned that a group of approximately 50 villagers were thinking about restarting classes in tents temporarily. According to local residents, Taliban education officials had reached out to provincial school leaders to talk about reopening, but requested some time to negotiate with Taliban military commanders. Mohammad Azimi, the provincial education director, stated that he had requested assistance from parents and students in reopening the schools. At Sher Ali Khan school in Naw Deh village, located roughly 8 miles from Farah city, the windows were shattered and the walls were damaged. Inside, burnt desks and school papers were scattered everywhere. A plaque at the school entrance displayed Afghan and American flags and credited the U.S. Agency for International Development for assisting in the school's construction in 2005. The U.S. flag on the plaque had been attempted to be scratched out. The agency's office in Kabul stated that they no longer funded the school, but it may have been a previous project. The school principal, Abdul Rahman, reported that on April 15, five masked men tied up the night watchman, poured fuel inside the school, and set it on fire. Additionally, they detonated a small explosive device in the school office. School records, student supplies, and academic textbooks were destroyed in a fire, but Islamic religious texts were left untouched by the attackers, according to Rahman. Rahman expressed concern that the female students are now afraid to return to school, even if it reopens. Abdul Hamid Haidari, a shopkeeper, shared that his daughters attended Sher Ali Khan school and that his daughter Roya, who was set to graduate and become a teacher, may no longer be able to fulfill her dreams due to the destruction of her school transcripts. Haidari mentioned that Roya and her siblings were devastated when they learned about the attack. He expressed his determination to educate all of his children, including his daughters and four sons, and had made sacrifices to enroll them in schools despite the dangerous security situation. He had hoped that the peace talks would improve the situation, but after their school was destroyed, he has become less optimistic. Qani, a member of the provincial council, described a sense of fear and distrust following the attacks on schools. He noted that the attacks may have achieved their goal as many parents are now too scared to send their daughters back to school. According to Qani, the blowing up of school buildings is a worrying trend. "Will students be attacked by them tomorrow?" - New York Times News Service, circa 2019.