Asma's fight for girls' education in AfghanistanCEFR B1
16 Mar 2026
Adapted from Global Voices Eurasia, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Joel Heard, Unsplash
Asma wrote about the loss of education for millions of Afghan girls after the Taliban takeover in August 2021, when the president left the country. At first girls were allowed to sit exams, but schools and universities were soon closed to them. Asma remembered visiting her school gate to glimpse classmates, teachers and her old desk and being refused entry.
Supported by her family, she found a secret English language centre in Herat where brave teachers taught girls in private. After a year she reached an excellent level and, on the director's suggestion, became a teacher for girls her age and younger.
She read many books, applied to the online University of the People for a Business Administration degree, and received an acceptance letter to begin in April. She said she feels both excited to study and sorrowful that many other girls remain denied education. Her parents told her to study first and become independent.
Difficult words
- takeover — when a group takes control of a country
- refuse — say no and not allow someone to do somethingrefused
- secret — kept hidden and not made public
- director — person who manages an organization or groupdirector's
- acceptance — official agreement to join a school or program
- deny — say someone cannot have something or do somethingdenied
- independent — able to live or make decisions without help
- sorrowful — feeling deep sadness or unhappiness
- glimpse — a quick or brief look at something
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How do secret classes help girls who cannot go to school? Give two reasons.
- Would you consider studying online if local schools were closed? Why or why not?
- What problems might teachers face when they teach girls in secret?
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