The National Examinations Authority of Afghanistan has announced the commencement of the first round of the nationwide university entrance exam (Kankor exam) in 16 provinces.
This authority mentioned in a statement that the first round of the 1403 Kankor exam began this morning, Thursday, June 6.
In the first round, students from the provinces of Logar, Parwan, Kapisa, Panjshir, Ghazni, Paktia, Paktika, Zabul, Bamyan, Samangan, Nuristan, Badghis, Herat, Ghor, Maidan Wardak, and Kunar will be taking the exam.
The National Examinations Committee had previously announced that the 1403 nationwide Kankor exam would be conducted in five stages. The second stage, which will include students from Kabul and its districts, is scheduled for June 21st and 22nd.
The third stage of this exam, scheduled for June 27 and 28, will be taken by students from the provinces of Takhar, Kunduz, Balkh, Jowzjan, Sar-e-Pul, Faryab, Uruzgan, Baghlan, Daikundi, and Badakhshan.
The fourth stage of the Kankor exam is announced for July 4, 5, and 6. It will include students from the provinces of Nangarhar, Laghman, Khost, Kandahar, Helmand, Farah, and Nimruz.
The fifth stage of this exam, which is allocated to students outside the country and those who missed previous stages, will be held on July 12.
Notably, for the second consecutive year, the Kankor exam in Afghanistan is being held without the participation of female students.
Since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, this is the second consecutive year that girls have been barred from participating Kanko exam.
It has been the third consecutive that girls’ and women’s access to education beyond the sixth grade has been barred. These policies prohibit girls from continuing their education past elementary school, effectively barring them from pursuing higher education and professional opportunities.
These restrictive educational policies have resulted in a significant gender gap in education, limiting the prospects and future potential of many Afghan girls and women.
The long-term impact of such policies is likely to hinder the overall development and progress of the nation.