PUK works to improve Kurdish language education in Kirkuk, disputed territories

PUK works to improve Kurdish language education in Kirkuk, disputed territories

kurdsatnews

Nov 22, 2022

President of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Bafel Jalal Talabani with Iraqi Minister of Education Ibrahim Namis Al-Jubour in Baghdad on November 21, 2022.

President of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Bafel Jalal Talabani with the Iraqi Minister of Education Ibrahim Namis Al-Jubouri to discuss efforts to improve teaching in the disputed territories between the Kurdistan region and Iran, and focused on creating favorable conditions in schools for both students and teachers.

President Bafel Jalal Talabani said that Kurdish language education in the disputed territories shall be improved and their guarantee their legal right by transferring their service to the Iraqi Ministry of Education, such steps would bring significant progress to education in the disputed territories. A recent decision by Kirkuk’s acting governor banned billboards in Kirkuk language and its use for public displays.

President Talabani also said that a government’s task is to a create a good condition for schools, students and teachers to help educate people, as it is a fundamental pillar in every country.

The Iraqi Education Minister praised and welcomed President Talabani’s remarks on education in the disputed territories, and promised to follow up on issues facing education in the area, and form a committee to further look into the situation and address them.

The PUK has usually fought against discrimination against minorities in the disputed territories and helped for equal opportunity for all peoples of the region, and has stoop up against recent moves to downplay the use of the Kurdish language in Kirkuk and disputed territories.

Since the 2017 independence referendum, the use of Kurdish language and education in the disputed territories has been downplayed. A recent decree from Iraqi Ministry of Education asked schools to ignore Kurdish language class and let students pass even if they fail in the Kurdish language class, even though it was canceled after public outcry.

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