Japan aids renovation of schools in Kurdistan Region

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region’s Minister of Education, Pshtiwan Sadiq, has praised Japanese organizations’ role in aiding the renovation process of local school buildings.

The minister’s comments came during a press conference on Monday attended by Japanese Consul General in Erbil Katsumi Moriyasu during a reopening ceremony for the girls-only Chiman High School in Erbil, the refurbishment of which was funded by a Japanese group.

“Japanese organizations have renovated 107 schools in the Kurdistan Region since 2003,” Moriyasu said during a speech he gave in Kurdish, adding that similar projects are ongoing with more planned for the future.

Sadiq, meanwhile, thanked the work of the Japanese organizations and said Japan's contribution is evidence of strong bilateral ties with the Kurdistan Region.

“I am very happy that I attended this ceremony and thank the minister for the words of support he showed,” Consul General Moriyasu said. He also reaffirmed Tokyo’s desire to develop all ties with the Kurdistan Region.

Sadiq highlighted that along with the Japanese groups, many other international organizations have aided the Ministry of Education in rebuilding and renovations efforts.

Many school structures in the Kurdistan Region have not been renovated for decades, with severe damage visible within the buildings.

Education officials believe that along with a chronic shortage of schools, they not only require renovations but also lack resources to provide a proper learning environment for students.

In total, “we may need 600 more [schools]” in the Kurdistan Region, Sadiq stated.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany