One of Afghanistan’s new “hidden” schools is tucked away in a residential neighborhood.

It is a little but powerful gesture of defiance against the Taliban.

A math lesson is being attended by about a dozen teenage girls.

“We are aware of the threats and are concerned,” the solitary teacher says, but adds that girls’ education is worth “any risk.”

The Taliban have ordered girls’ secondary schools to remain shuttered in all but a few areas across the country.

This school has done an excellent job of recreating an actual classroom, complete with rows of clean blue and white desks.

“We do our best to do this secretly,” says the female teacher, “but even if they arrest me, they beat me, it’s worth it.”

Back in March, it seemed as if girls’ schools were about to reopen.

However, barely an hour or so after the students arrived, the Taliban leadership declared a policy shift.

The sorrow is still acute for the pupils at the hidden school, as well as many other teenage girls.

“It’s been two months, and schools still haven’t reopened,” one 19-year-old informed us in the improvised classroom. “It makes me very sad,” she added, wiping tears from her eyes with the palms of her hands.

There is, nevertheless, a mood of defiance.

Another 15-year-old student wanted to send a message to other Afghan girls: “Be brave, no one can stop you if you are bold.”

Primary schools for females have reopened under the Taliban, and attendance has increased as security in rural areas of the country has improved.

Yet, it is unclear when or if older girls would be permitted back in class.

The Taliban have stated that the correct “Islamic environment” must be developed first.

However, no one appears to know what that means given that schools are already gender segregated.

Taliban officials have stated publicly that females schools will reopen, but they also acknowledge that female education is a “sensitive” topic for them.

All girls were barred from attending school under their last reign of terror in the 1990s, reportedly owing to “security concerns.”