KABUL, (Reuters) – The Taliban reversed Wednesday’s announcement about high schools being opened for girls. They said they would stay closed until a plan in line with Islamic law was developed for their reopening.

Students and teachers from three Kabul high schools claimed that girls returned to their campuses in exhilaration on Wednesday, but were then told to return home. Many students were left crying, according to them.

One student shared that she felt disappointed with the school principal and became hopeless. She did not wish to be named because of security concerns.

They banned women’s education and the majority of employment during their last rule in Afghanistan (from 1996 to 2001).

International community made education for girls an important demand to recognize the Taliban government, which took control of Afghanistan in August after foreign forces withdrew.

Last week, after several months of restriction on high-school girls’ education, the Ministry of Education declared that schools will be opened for all students across the country starting Wednesday.

Tuesday night, a Ministry of Education spokeswoman released a video in which she congratulated all students who returned to class.

On Wednesday, however, the Ministry of Education sent a notice stating that schools for girls will be shut down until a plan is drawn up according to Islamic law and Afghan culture. Bakhtar News, an official news agency, reported.

Notice stated, “We notify all girls high schools” and schools having more than six female students that they will be off to the next order.

Spokesman for the ministry of education in Afghanistan did not answer calls and message seeking comments. Reuters was informed by a Taliban source that Kabul schools for girls would close for the moment. He did not elaborate.

While the Taliban seeks to rule the country according its Islamic Law interpretation, it is also seeking billions in aid to end widespread poverty and hunger.

We have heard disturbing reports that girls above sixth grade won’t be allowed back to school because of the lack of invitations from the authorities. If true, why? Deborah Lyons, UNAMA’s head for Afghanistan (UNAMA), tweeted the following.