United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged Afghan interim government to open schools for all students without any further delay.

In a statement, he expressed regret over the announcement by Taliban authorities that girls’ education from the sixth grade has been suspended until further notice.

Turkey also urged the interim government in Afghanistan to allow girls of all ages to attend school, following the Taliban’s decision to suspend schooling for girls beyond the sixth grade.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that we regret the continuation of the restriction on the participation of girls in secondary education.

It called on the Interim Government of Afghanistan to allow girls of all ages to partake in education in an inclusive manner as soon as possible and emphasize that we will continue to stand by the Afghan people in these difficult days.