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Syria to introduce Kurdish language in schools for 2026-2027 academic year
The Syrian Ministry of Education has issued instructions to implement Kurdish as a national language in the school curriculum starting from the 2026-2027 academic year. This move follows Presidential Decree No. 13, issued by President Ahmed al-Sharaa on January 16, 2026, which recognizes Kurdish as a national language and restores citizenship to Kurds stripped of it during the 1962 census.
Under the new regulations, Kurdish will be taught in both public and private schools located in regions with significant Kurdish populations. While some reports suggest the subject will be taught for two hours a week as an optional course, other official communications indicate it will be a core subject taught for three hours per week, with grades contributing to the students' overall academic averages.
To facilitate the transition, the ministry is allowing students in the first year of implementation to choose between Arabic and Kurdish for subjects such as History, Geography, Social Studies, and Philosophy. The National Centre for Curriculum Development is tasked with preparing the necessary materials. Additionally, the ministry has announced a recruitment drive for qualified instructors, requiring candidates to pass written and oral proficiency examinations. Priority will be given to university graduates with specialized training in the Kurdish language.
Entities
Ahmed El-Shara · Ahmed al-Sharaa · Mohammad Abdulrahman Turko · National Centre for Curriculum Development · Syria · Syrian Ministry of Education · Syrian National Education Curriculum Development Center
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Kurdish will be taught for three hours per week in the new curriculum. www.yuksekovahaber.com.tr · www.aydinlik.com.tr
- [● 4 SOURCES] President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued Decree No. 13 on January 16, 2026, recognizing Kurdish as a national language. sondakikakibris.com · www.syrianow.net · www.veryansintv.com · www.sondakika.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Kurdish teachers must ideally be graduates of universities or teacher training institutes with specialized language expertise. www.yuksekovahaber.com.tr · www.aydinlik.com.tr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Prospective Kurdish teachers will undergo written and oral proficiency examinations. www.syrianow.net · www.aydinlik.com.tr
- [● 2 SOURCES] During the first year of implementation, students may choose to study Social Studies, History, Geography, and Philosophy in either Arabic or Kurdish. www.syrianow.net · www.aydinlik.com.tr
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Syrian Ministry of Education will allow Kurdish to be taught in public and private schools in regions with significant Kurdish populations starting from the 2026-2027 academic year. sondakikakibris.com · www.syrianow.net · www.yuksekovahaber.com.tr · www.aydinlik.com.tr · www.sondakika.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Grades from Kurdish language classes will be included in students' overall academic averages. www.syrianow.net · www.yuksekovahaber.com.tr · www.aydinlik.com.tr
- [● 2 SOURCES] The National Centre for Curriculum Development is responsible for preparing the Kurdish language curricula. www.syrianow.net · www.aydinlik.com.tr