Just hours after schools above 6th grade in Afghanistan reopened in nearly seven months, the Taliban administration said girls could not attend classes till further notice.

According to a Ministry of Education communique, girls would sit at home until a decision was taken on an appropriate school uniform in “accordance with Sharia law and Afghan culture”.

“All girls’ schools and high schools above the sixth grade are informed that the lessons of these schools and high schools have been postponed till the second day, whenever a comprehensive plan is drawn up in accordance with Sharia and Afghan tradition and culture,” said the Ministry of Education in Afghanistan statement on Twitter.

Afghanistan’s education ministry had announced last week that schools for all students, including girls, would open around the country on 23 March since the Taliban swept back into power last August.

Condemning the decision, the United Nations’ Mission to Afghanistan in a Twitter post said it “deplores today’s reported announcement by the Taliban that they are further extending their indefinite ban on female students above the 6th grade being permitted to return school”.

The Taliban’s announcement to halt girls from attending schools left many students in tears.

“I’m extremely disappointed with the Taliban denying secondary school for us at the last minute. Last night, I finally slept with hope and happiness at the prospect of being able to go to school after a long time,” a student from Kabul said.

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While another student expressed that she would no longer trust the Taliban “for a second” time, who earlier had banned female education when it ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001.