(Sadly, this version of the Taliban is harcher than the Taliban routed by the Bush administration.)

KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghanistan's Taliban rulers decided against opening schools to girls above the sixth grade, reneging on a previous promise and opting to appease their hardline base at the expense of further alienating the international community.

The unexpected decision, confirmed by a Taliban official Wednesday, came at the start of the new school year in Afghanistan. It is bound to disrupt Taliban efforts to win recognition from potential international donors, at a time when the country is mired in a worsening humanitarian crisis.

As school resumes in Afghanistan, will all girls be allowed to go?
World As school resumes in Afghanistan, will all girls be allowed to go?

The international community has been urging Taliban leaders to open schools and give women their right to public space. A statement by the ministry earlier in the week urged "all students" to come to school.