The Ministry of Education has banned all school girls over the age of 12 from singing or performing at public performances.

A letter from the Kabul Education Department states that male teachers and educators are also not allowed to teach school girls over the age of 12, and that if they fail to abide by this rule they could face legal action.

The ban would apply to all government and private schools, the letter stated.

The decision has sparked an outcry among social media users and other critics.

Women in particular have slammed the decision, saying that sensitive decisions especially relating to gender should not be taken by educational institutions.

But the Ministry of Education says the decision was made following an order from the National Assembly and at the suggestion of some families.

“According to the order of the Ministry of Education, all public and private schools should organize singing groups for female students so that their members are girls under 12 years old.

“The letter states that male educators cannot educate girls over the age of 12,” one official said.

Najiba Arian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, confirmed the ban.

Arian said the decision was made following complaints by families of the “heavy load of studies on the shoulders of the students in high school and middle school”.

Based on the decision, girls who are over the age of 12 are only allowed to sing the national anthem and other cultural songs at womens-only gatherings.

The principals of schools have also been warned that they will face legal action if they break these rules.

Critics have described the move as imposing limitations on the civil liberties of women and girls.