Prime Minister Masrour Barzani marks start of 2020 - 2021 school year under new safety measures
Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Sunday marked the start of the new academic year in the Kurdistan Region by ringing a bell at a local school and outlining measures taken by the government to ensure the safety of students.
Under new measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, schools reopened on Sunday for grade 12 classes only. The Prime Minister was also briefed on preparations to allow the safe physical return to class for other grades at a later time.
During the ceremony, Prime Minister Barzani urged teachers and students to continue complying with official coronavirus guidelines to ensure the safe reopening of schools. Minister of Education, Alan Hamasaeed, thanked the Prime Minister for allocating 540 million dinars in funding to purchase protective equipment for schools as the Prime Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to bolster the education sector and support projects across the region.
Prime Minister Barzani thanked the Minister of Education for his tireless work and dedication to the bright, young minds of the Kurdistan Region as the ministry adapted schools’ curriculum and classes to be delivered remotely. He also expressed his profound gratitude to teachers for their continued service to the country and the future generation.
Prime Minister Barzani encouraged students to learn as much as they can, despite the hardships of living amid this pandemic, and to build a strong foundation as they prepare to become contributing members of society.
The Prime Minister noted that education is not only about reading books and attending class, but also learning about our civic duties toward each other and understanding our responsibility to develop and better our country.
Prime Minister Barzani recalled that the establishment of the Kurdistan Region was the result of the hard work and sacrifices of brave martyrs, who carried out their duties with honour and dignity. He asked that students not forget those sacrifices as they prepare for the future, and to value and protect the Kurdistan Region's achievements as their own.
