In recent months, several Taliban officials have spoken out in favor of female education, including the deputy foreign minister and a spokesman for the administration.
The supreme Taliban spiritual leader, based in the southern city of Kandahar, makes the final decision on major decisions.
Diplomatic and Taliban official sources have said that the issue was discussed by the leadership.
“The decision had been anticipated for weeks, prompting some Western officials to talk about additional sanctions and further economic sanctions,” said Graeme Smith, senior consultant at the International Crisis Group.
“But the flood of indignation from the West will strengthen the resolve of the Taliban leadership, which defines itself as a defense against the outside world.”
The Taliban leadership has stated that they want peaceful relations with the international community but that foreigners should not interfere in domestic affairs.
Most of the girls do not go to school after primary classes. The Taliban administration has said it is working on a plan for secondary education for girls but has not given a time frame.
In March, the administration made a sudden U-turn on signs of opening all high-schools for girls.