Peregraf- The new academic year (2025–2026) officially began today across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, but the start was overshadowed by a continuing salary crisis that has left teachers without three months’ pay.
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani inaugurated the school year by ringing the ceremonial bell at a school in Zakho. In his remarks, he expressed gratitude to teachers for their dedication despite ongoing financial challenges.
“Our hope is that the salary crisis will end soon and that this problem will disappear. Employees, especially teachers, will receive their rights continuously,” Barzani said.
He highlighted recent investments in education, noting that more than 200 new schools have been built and about 2,000 others renovated. He also urged teachers, students, and parents to prioritize patriotism and environmental values as essential parts of the education system.
The new school year begins while the KRG has yet to distribute July salaries, leaving employees seven months into the year without payment for September. The delay has fueled protests, and some teachers have declared they will not return to classrooms until their wages are secured.
In Sulaimani, the new academic year was launched at Malkandi School, where Nejad Abdullah, Director General of Education, addressed teachers and students.
“We will provide all assistance to teachers. As far as we have received, the salary issue will be resolved between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi government soon,” Abdullah said.
He added that since the 2014 financial crisis, many educational centers have relied on investors and donors for development. “For this year, four new centers have been built and will be handed over in the coming days,” he noted.
The ongoing salary dispute remains a central concern for thousands of educators across Kurdistan, raising uncertainty about the smooth continuation of the school year despite official ceremonies marking its beginning.