Girls in Afghanistan are currently only allowed to attend primary school up to sixth grade.
"Every day we see the situation of girls deprived of education getting worse and worse. We ask the Islamic authorities to respect the precept of the Quran, which says, 'Read in the name of Allah.' We demand that schools be open for our daughters and sisters in the new 1404 school year," APSU head Azim Maidanwal was quoted as saying by the Shamshad News portal.
The inability to attend schools has had a negative impact on the morale of Afghan girls, Maindawal added.
There are currently about 1.5 million girls studying in 3,500 private primary and secondary schools in the country, he added.
Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban, said in response to Maidanwal's remarks that he also considered the right to education fundamental for all citizens of Afghanistan and that efforts were being made to ensure education for girls.
"If one takes a close look at Afghan society, it will be clear that there is disagreement on this issue, and given these differences of opinion, controversial issues should be avoided. On the one hand, it [education for girls] is necessary and understandable. I have already said that there are solutions to this problem," Mujahid was quoted as saying by the news portal.
The Taliban government in Afghanistan has curbed women's rights to travel, study and work since it took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, after the withdrawal of international troops and the collapse of the US-backed government. In late 2022, the Taliban banned girls and women from attending secondary schools and higher education institutions. The move faced international backlash, with many countries and the United Nations urging the Afghan authorities to lift restrictions on women's rights.