On the International Education Day, Ufuq Organization have published a statement for the situation of displaced Iraqi Students which you can read below.

Education is a fundamental human right, and a public responsibility. The United Nations General Assembly has designated January 24th as the International Day of Education. Despite the decrease in Covid-19 restrictions and the challenges it poses to education worldwide, education in Iraq still faces the same old challenges, such as weak infrastructure and the chaos that accompanies the beginning of the academic year in preparing for its requirements and needs. Additionally, the lack of political stability has added a significant burden on the education sector.

In recent months, there have been reports about the Education Ministry’s intention to close its offices in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Although the Ministry denied these reports through its spokesman, this is not the first time such news has been circulated. It was discussed in 2018 and 2021. A request from a member of the Ninawa Governorate Council to close the offices and return the staff was also made. The process of returning the displaced is a complex process that requires precise planning. The process should be carried out within the requirements that include providing the necessary infrastructure and services for the return of the displaced to their governorates. Improving security is one of these factors, but it is not the only one. The Iraqi Constitution also stipulates that the state is responsible for providing education to all citizens and that the government must ensure that this right is protected and guaranteed. The government must also ensure that the necessary steps are taken to ensure that the education of the displaced does not suffer and that they have access to education in their areas of residence.

It is strongly recommended to follow “voluntary return” mechanisms by providing all the necessary conditions and requirements, without coercion or restrictions. And it is definitely recommended to continue the work of the Education Ministry offices in the region, which serve about 75,000 students.