First-graders exhibit varying degrees of attention as a classmate does a math problem on the board at the front of the class at Speena Adi school in Kabul, Afghanistan, in May 2012. Some 3,800 students attend Grades 1 through 9 here. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Naadera Jan teaches students about food in a home economics class at Speena Adi school. Some 3 million girls now attend school. During Taliban rule, only 50,000 girls were enrolled. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
One student was especially proud of her ‘princess’ pencil case. Other popular cases had Spider-Man or SpongeBob SquarePants on them. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A small kiosk in the schoolyard has supplies for sale to students. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Ninth-graders play a game that resembles the Western game of ‘Duck Duck Goose' at recess. The pursuer must toss a scarf and hit the runner before she retakes her seat in the circle. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Girls enjoy exercising at recess, still wearing their school uniforms. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A huge portrait of Afghan President Hamid Karzai hangs on an outside wall of the school. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Schoolgirls walk to the entrance of the girls-only Speena Adi school. It has been open for 10 years; under the Taliban it was for boys only. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Since there is no running water in the school buildings, students must go outside to the water pump to wash their hands or get a drink. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A woman in a chemistry class is surrounded by male classmates as they test the pH of different liquids at the American University of Kabul. The school is a new institution based on international standards that offers bachelors' degrees in business administration, computer science, public administration, and political science. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Students walk through campus at the American University of Kabul. About 800 full-time students, along with 900 part-time continuing-education students, attend classes here. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Women study in the library before classes at the American University of Kabul. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Freshman Zahra Khawari (front, l.) attends a law class at the American University of Kabul. Although an Afghan, Zahra grew up in Iran, where she came in first in her high school class. Despite that, she was not offered a spot in college. So the family moved back to Kabul. Her father wanted her to have a university education. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Women learn to read and write Dari (Persian), one of Afghanistan's two official languages, at a literacy class at Showra Qurbonian center in Kabul. Many women did not have an opportunity to go to school when they were young under Taliban times – so now they are seizing the opportunity to be educated. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Women study in a literacy class at Showra Qurbonian center. The center offers classes for women in basic literacy, English, the Quran, and math. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
A woman in a burka with her daughter and schoolgirls on their way home from class try to avoid the muddiest parts of the road in Kabul. Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff
Malala Yousufzai's arrival in the UK to receive treatment after being shot by the Taliban reminds that resistance to the education of girls remains an issue among pockets of the country's Pakistani community.
In Britain’s Muslim community, a large portion of whom are of Pakistani heritage, there has been keen interest in the case Malala Yousufzai, the schoolgirl shot in the head by the Pakistani Taliban for advocating education for girls.
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