Prime Minister urges students to focus on education, respect diversity, protect the environment, and serve their country
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani officially opened the 2026-27 academic year on Sunday, Sept. 20, by ringing the school bell at Global School in Erbil in the presence of Education Minister Dr. Alan Hama Saeed.
Addressing students, teachers, and attendees at the ceremony, Barzani congratulated students and teachers across the Kurdistan Region and wished them a school year filled with achievement, happiness, health, and peace.
“I am very happy to be with you today at this beautiful school, taking part with you in the beginning of the new academic year,” Barzani said.
He encouraged students to take their education seriously, saying their development would play an important role in Kurdistan’s future.
“Do not forget that Kurdistan is waiting for you,” he said. “You will later become great and influential people, so that you can manage your country.”
Barzani said the Kurdistan Regional Government would continue working to support students and teachers and improve educational facilities and services.
He said more than 310 new schools had been built during the period covered by the government’s available figures, while more than 629 classrooms had been added to existing schools. He added that 3,175 classrooms had been renovated during the same period.
According to Barzani, the work has been carried out through government efforts and contributions from donors. He also said that more than 100 schools were being supported for renovation this year by the Kurdistan Foundation.
“All of this is in the service of you, the respected and dear students,” Barzani said, adding that the government would continue providing the necessary materials and facilities to create a calm and healthy learning environment.
Education, respect and responsibility
Barzani called on students to remain focused on their studies and work hard throughout their education, saying that knowledge and education could help them achieve greater success in life.
He also urged students to show compassion toward others and respect people from different religions and nationalities.
“We are beautiful because we come from different religions and different nationalities,” he said. “Therefore, love one another, respect one another, and respect the differences of our country, which have undoubtedly made our country more beautiful.”
The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of protecting the environment. He encouraged students to keep their homes, schools, and communities clean and to become advocates for environmental protection.
“You are the future of this country,” Barzani said. “You can decide in which direction the future of this country goes. Therefore, do whatever you can to protect the environment of your country.”
Barzani further called on students to work hard and remain committed to their country. Referring to the sacrifices of the Peshmerga and the martyrs of Kurdistan, he urged students to respect their homeland and take pride in their country.
“This country is the product of the blood of our martyrs and the hard work and sacrifices of our heroic Peshmerga,” he said.
PM Barzani
thanks teachers
Barzani thanked teachers across the Kurdistan Region for continuing their work despite difficult and challenging circumstances.
“I thank the respected teachers who have not allowed education to be disrupted at any stage,” he said.
He described teachers as an important influence on students, saying their behavior, compassion, and commitment can help shape the kind of people students become.
“A teacher, through their actions, can tell a student what kind of person they should become,” Barzani said.
He thanked teachers for their perseverance and hard work and praised the Ministry of Education for its efforts to improve the quality of education.
“I once again thank the Ministry of Education for the good work they are doing to raise the level of education,” he said.
Barzani concluded by congratulating students across the Kurdistan Region and wishing them a successful and healthy academic year filled with achievements.