Prime Minister Barzani Opens Kurdistan Region’s 2026-27 Academic Year

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) -  Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, officially opened the 2026-27 academic year 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, Prime Minister Barzani congratulated students and teachers across the Kurdistan Region and expressed hope that the new academic year would bring achievements, happiness, 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, 2026-2027,” Prime Minister Barzani said. “I congratulate the beginning of this new year to you, the dear students and teachers of this school, and to all students and teachers of Kurdistan. I hope you have a year full of achievements, happiness, and peace, and that you succeed this year and in the years to come.”

The Prime Minister said he was pleased to see the energy of the students as they prepared to begin a new academic year, telling them that Kurdistan’s future depends on their education and development.

“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.”

He said the Kurdistan Regional Government would continue doing what it could to support students and teachers, while the Ministry of Education had continued working to advance education in terms of curriculum, schools, and the construction of facilities needed for teaching.

Prime Minister Barzani said more than 310 new schools had been built during the period covered by the figures available to him, while more than 629 new classrooms had been added to some schools.

He said the total number of classrooms renovated during the same period stood at 3,175.

Prime Minister Barzani added that much of the work had been carried out by the government and donors, while more than 100 schools were also, he said, being supported for renovation this year by the Kurdistan Foundation.

“All of this is in the service of you, the respected and dear students,” he said. “The government will continue to provide the necessary materials so that you can develop your education in a calm and healthy environment.”

Prime Minister Barzani praised the uniform of the students and hopefully year by year you can achieve higher academic achievement and he also called on them to remain focused on their studies.

“I ask the dear students not to forget several things,” he said. “First and foremost, give importance to your studies. Education can make you more successful people in your lives.”

He also called on students to be compassionate toward others and to respect people of different religions and nationalities.

“You must be people who love humanity. First and foremost, love one another. Love your teachers, your mothers and fathers, and your relatives,” Prime Minister Barzani said.

“We are beautiful because we come from different religions and different nationalities. Therefore, love your other religions, respect one another, and respect the differences of our country, which have undoubtedly made our country more beautiful.”

The Prime Minister also urged students to protect the environment, beginning with their homes and schools and extending to the wider country.

“I ask you to be friends of the environment. Keep your homes clean and tidy, keep your school clean, and keep your country clean,” he said.

He encouraged students to challenge practices that harm the environment, saying they represent the future of the country and can influence its direction.

“You are the future of this country,” PM 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.”

The Prime Minister also urged students to work hard throughout their education and remember the importance of patriotism.

“You must, with all your ability, strive for success in the stages of your education,” he said.

“This country is the product of the blood of our martyrs, the product of the hard work and sacrifices of our heroic Peshmerga,” PM Barzani said, recalling students’ support for the Peshmerga.

He called on them to respect the Peshmerga and their homeland and to love their country.

“We are beautiful through our country,” he said. “With pride in this country, we can become even more proud.”

Prime Minister Barzani thanked teachers for ensuring that education continued at every stage, including during difficult and challenging circumstances.

“I thank the respected teachers who have not allowed education to be disrupted at any stage,” he said.

He praised teachers who had continued educating students despite difficult conditions, describing teachers as the first lesson students learn from.

“A teacher, through their actions, can tell a student what kind of person they should become,” Prime Minister Barzani said. “Therefore, the teacher’s forgiveness, compassion, and high standards can be offered to the student and can ensure that this student is educated in the same way.”

He again thanked teachers for their perseverance, hard work, and service, expressing pride in their efforts.

Prime Minister Barzani also thanked the Ministry of Education for its work to improve the standard 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.

He concluded by congratulating students across the Kurdistan Region and wishing them health, success, and a year filled with achievements.

“I once again congratulate all the dear students,” PM Barzani said. “God willing, you will always be successful, always healthy, and have a year full of achievements and success ahead of you.”

This article was updated on Sep. 20, 2026, at 9:09 am, the full speech of the Prime Minister was added.