Kurdish language teacher availability faces scrutiny in Turkey

Discussions regarding the availability of Kurdish language elective courses in Turkey have highlighted both recent increases in teaching positions and ongoing shortages. In Diyarbakır, Hüdai Morsümbül of the Eğitim-Bir-Sen Kurdish Commission reported a significant rise in teacher norms. He noted that the number of Kurmanji teacher positions in Diyarbakır reached 27, up from 34 previously, while Zazaca positions increased by five.

However, DEM Party MP Serhat Eren has raised concerns in Parliament regarding the gap between student demand and teacher supply. Eren pointed out that for the 2025-2026 academic year, tens of thousands of students expressed interest in Kurmanji and Kirmanckî courses, yet many schools cannot effectively provide them due to insufficient staff. He noted that while the ministry identified a need for 30 teachers, only six candidates were admitted to the National Education Academy, despite hundreds of graduates from relevant university programs.