Kurdish-Language Preschools Resume in Diyarbakir Amid Soaring Demand

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – In Diyarbakir, preschools known as Zarokistan will reopen their doors on Sept. 8, offering Kurdish-language education for children at the preschool level. Families determined to ensure their children grow up speaking Kurdish are already lining up to secure spots in these centers, though high demand and limited availability have posed challenges.

The Zarokistan initiative was first launched in 2015 by the Diyarbakir Metropolitan Municipality, in response to longstanding calls from Kurdish society for mother-tongue education at the preschool stage. With the slogan “The language is sweet, Zarokistan is hope,” the project was warmly embraced by the community. However, during the period of state-imposed trusteeship, all Zarokistan preschools were shut down, leaving Kurdish families without access to this form of education.

Now, for the first time in years, Diyarbakir’s municipality has renewed its commitment to these centers, announcing the reopening of classes. Municipal officials confirmed that public interest is strong and continues to grow, as parents seek a Kurdish-language education framework for their children.

Omer Saman, head of the municipality’s Social Services Department, emphasized to Kurdistan24  the importance of Zarokistan. “When we began this project in 2015, our slogan was the language is sweet, Zarokistan is hope. Unfortunately, Kurdish children had no place where they could properly learn their mother tongue,” he said.

He explained that each Zarokistan has a capacity of 160 children, which quickly fills up. “All our classes are full, and many families are waiting for us to open new spots. There is great demand for Kurdish-language education at the preschool level,” Saman noted.

Classes in Zarokistan will run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., offering children both a structured learning environment and the chance to experience daily life in their mother tongue. Lessons will cover early childhood subjects such as numbers, time, and storytelling, all taught in Kurdish.

Teacher Ruken Demir underlined to Kurdistan24, the program’s multilingual and cultural richness. “In Zarokistan, children are educated in their mother tongue. They learn to recognize time, count numbers, and practice conversations with their families in Kurdish,” she explained.

Currently, Diyarbakir hosts four Zarokistan centers along with four playgroup units. However, officials admit that these numbers are insufficient given the growing demand. Preparations are underway to increase the number of centers, as parents continue to press for more opportunities.

A municipal spokesperson said the administration is actively working to expand the project: “We know the interest is high, and we are preparing to open additional Zarokistan centers. This is part of our broader effort to safeguard Kurdish language and culture through early education.”

For many Kurdish families, Zarokistan represents more than just preschool—it is a vital tool to protect and pass on the Kurdish language, which has long faced restrictions in Turkey. Parents view these schools as an essential step in ensuring their children grow up confident in their linguistic and cultural identity.

As the new academic year begins, Diyarbakir once again becomes a focal point for Kurdish education initiatives, where community determination meets institutional efforts to preserve the mother tongue through the youngest generation.