Halimi was instructed to dismiss all male teachers at girls' schools and replace them with women because militants believed that men should not teach girls. The government complied with this directive in order to prevent the schools from being forcibly shut down. Despite these efforts, Farah's schools were still targeted. Last month, armed men on motorcycles set fire to two girls' schools near Farah city on consecutive nights, causing extensive damage and destroying teaching materials, resulting in the suspension of classes for nearly 1,700 girls. Graffiti found nearby bore the message "Long live the Islamic Emirate," the Taliban's title. 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 families. These attacks have reignited concerns about a potential resurgence of Taliban rule as the militants and the United States engage in peace negotiations. Until 2001, the Taliban government prohibited girls' education and kept women confined to their homes. Today, over 3.6 million Afghan girls are attending school and 100,000 women are enrolled in universities. However, approximately 400 schools have closed recently due to security concerns, including armed conflicts and threats from the Taliban. Despite assurances from Taliban leaders in Qatar that they support women's rights, such as education, recent school attacks in Farah have raised concerns among Afghan women about the possibility of a future government including the Taliban imposing restrictions on girls' education once again. Sosan Aubi, a 38-year-old teacher at a school that was recently burned, expressed disappointment and loss of hope following the explosion, despite optimism due to the Qatar talks. Nayab Khan, a village grocer, voiced skepticism towards the Taliban's promises, citing their actions of blowing up schools and obstructing girls' education. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied involvement in the attacks and claimed they would investigate and punish those responsible. Mujahid stated that if the schools were to reopen, there would not be a threat from their side. However, residents in the area noted that the schools were located in Taliban-controlled areas and government officials had not been able to assess the damage. Dadullah Qani, a member of the Farah provincial council, expressed concern that the government was losing control of the province, citing the attacks as evidence of the deteriorating security situation. "There is no distinction between the government and the general population - both are unable to prevent such attacks," stated provincial government officials and village elders. The attacks have revealed a division within the militants, with many Taliban civil authorities being open to girls' education while some military commanders are opposed. The Taliban run shadow governments in areas under their control or in dispute, collecting taxes and setting up offices to manage daily affairs. "Some of them support girls' education while others do not," noted Halimi, the deputy education director. Village elders reported meeting with government officials in Farah city to request the reconstruction of schools, only to be informed that the government lacked the authority to act. They were advised to reach out to local Taliban leaders instead. Halimi mentioned that a group of approximately 50 villagers was thinking about reopening classes in tents for the time being. Residents in the area stated that Taliban education officials had been in touch with school leaders in the province to discuss the possibility of reopening, but needed time to come to an agreement with Taliban military leaders. Mohammad Azimi, the education director for the province, had requested assistance from parents and students in reopening the schools. At Sher Ali Khan school in Naw Deh village, located around 8 miles from Farah city, the school 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 along with a message indicating that the U.S. Agency for International Development played a role in building the school in 2005. Despite someone attempting to scratch out the U.S. flag, the agency's office in Kabul stated that they were not currently funding the school, although it may have been a previous project. The school principal, Abdul Rahman, reported that on the night of April 15, five masked men armed with weapons 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 set on fire by the attackers, but Islamic religious texts were left untouched, according to Rahman. Rahman expressed concern that the girls are now fearful and may not return to the school even if it reopens. Abdul Hamid Haidari, a 45-year-old shopkeeper, mentioned that his three daughters were students at Sher Ali Khan school. He shared that his daughter Roya, 18, had aspirations of becoming a teacher but that her graduation and career prospects were now uncertain due to the destruction of her school transcripts. Haidari recounted how Roya and her sisters were devastated upon hearing about the attack. He expressed his determination to educate his children, including his daughters and four sons, and mentioned that he had made sacrifices to enroll them in schools despite the dangerous security conditions. He had hoped that the peace talks would improve the situation, but after their school was destroyed, he felt less optimistic. Qani, a member of the provincial council, described a fearful and distrustful atmosphere following the school attacks. He noted that the attacks may have achieved their goal, as parents are now hesitant to send their daughters back to school even if they reopen. "Today they blow up school buildings," Qani remarked. "Will students be attacked tomorrow?" - c.2019 New York Times News Service.