Sema
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani officially announced the start of the 2025–2026 academic year in the Kurdistan Region by ringing the first school bell at Dom Dom School in the city of Zakho. He was accompanied by the Minister of Education, Alan Hama Saeed, and the head of the Independent Zakho Administration, Kohdar Sheikhou.
In his speech marking the beginning of the school year, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said:
“I congratulate all students, teachers, and the people of the Kurdistan Region on the start of the new academic year. I also thank the parents for sending their children to school. I am confident that these students will become the leaders of the future and help our country advance even further.”
He added:
“I extend special thanks to our respected teachers who, despite all challenges, crises, and salary delays, continued to teach. Our devoted and patriotic teachers never allowed the educational process to stop. They are truly a model of love and loyalty to the homeland.”
The Prime Minister also called on teachers, students, and parents to incorporate patriotism and environmental protection into both the educational system and family life, stressing:
“Our country is the fruit of the blood of our martyrs and must be preserved with purity.”
He also highlighted that the day marked the anniversary of the establishment of the Zakho Independent Administration, congratulating the residents of Zakho:
“In recent years, Zakho has made significant progress. Today, we are inaugurating many new projects.”
Full Speech of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani
In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
Dear students, respected teachers,
I warmly congratulate you and all the people of Kurdistan on the start of the 2025–2026 school year, wishing it to be a year full of success and happiness for students, their parents, and their teachers.
I extend heartfelt thanks to the mothers and fathers who make sacrifices and ensure their children attend school for a brighter future for our people. I firmly believe that these children will become tomorrow’s leaders, guiding our nation to greater heights.
I express deep gratitude to our dedicated teachers, who, despite limited resources, salary delays, and other challenges, continued to fulfill their educational mission and never let a student be deprived of learning. These faithful educators are a true embodiment of dedication and patriotism. I hope the crises will end soon, and all public servants, especially teachers, will receive their rightful salaries. Our government continues working to overcome these hardships and to repay their efforts.
On this day, which coincides with the anniversary of the Zakho Independent Administration, I congratulate all the people of Zakho. I wish ongoing progress to this city, which has always been at the forefront of struggle and sacrifice and has produced heroes who defended Kurdistan and Iraq. Today, Zakho stands as a symbol of development and reconstruction and a shining example for the region.
We continue to implement vital service projects here, such as the new children’s hospital, the international exhibition center, and phase two of the Zakho Corniche, which has become one of the most beautiful sites in Kurdistan.
Education is a fundamental need in our nation, but more important is raising students with awareness and values. I commend the efforts of the Minister of Education, the ministry staff, and teachers who worked tirelessly to improve education quality. We have made real progress and implemented significant reforms. One of the key achievements is the digitization of educational data, now accessible online to help educators and administrators make informed decisions.
We are also working to strengthen students’ connection to the educational system through online platforms, which will have a major impact on Kurdistan’s education, setting an example for the region.
In recent years, over 200 new schools have been built, and around 2,000 schools have been renovated across the Region. Still, the need remains. Despite limited resources, our government will continue building schools, scientific centers, and supporting students and teachers.
I wish you a successful academic year and continued progress for Kurdistan. I urge teachers, students, and parents to integrate national values and environmental awareness into both school curricula and home life. Our homeland is sacred, the result of our martyrs’ sacrifices, and must be preserved with devotion.
In conclusion, I call for the relationship between teachers and students to be based on respect and love, not fear or compulsion. Students should honor their teachers and parents, and in turn, teachers and parents should continue supporting their children to work hard and build a better future for themselves and their country.
Once again, congratulations to you all. I wish you every success and prosperity.