Taliban suddenly backtrack on pledge to open schools for all girls

• So far, only girls up to the sixth grade have been allowed to attend school.

State of play: A spokesperson for the Afghan Education Ministry told the Times the Taliban decided not to allow girls in the sixth grade and above return to school because there's a lack of female religious uniforms.

• The spokesperson also said there are not enough female teachers.

Catch up fast: The Taliban in September reopened high schools but said only male students were allowed to return to class, adding that girls would be able to attend as the security situation allowed.

• At the time, teachers said that the decision to exclude girls led to them being "depressed," per The Wall Street Journal.

Flashback: Girls were barred from schools and most workplaces when the Taliban was last in power, from 1996 to 2001.

What they're saying: "I’m deeply troubled by multiple reports that the Taliban are not allowing girls above grade 6 to return to school," said Ian McCary, the chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.

• "This is very disappointing and contradicts many Taliban assurances and statements," McCary added.

What to watch: Officials said girls' high schools would remain closed until they figure out a plan to have them reopen under their interpretation of Islamic law, per the Times.

Go deeper: Afghan women and girls fear for their futures after Taliban victory