Kurdistan Region Launches Digital School Initiative to Transform Education

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — In a groundbreaking step toward modernizing the education sector, Kurdistan Region Minister of Education Alan Hama Saeed announced on Monday, the official launch of the "Digital School" initiative, an ambitious project set to revolutionize learning through smart technology.

Speaking during a ceremony unveiling the initiative, Minister Saeed expressed his enthusiasm for the project's potential to transform education across the Region.

"I am pleased with the launch of the digital school, which is one of the projects of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. The digital school is a completely digital school designed to strengthen the education system," he declared, emphasizing the critical importance of adapting education to the demands of a rapidly evolving digital world.

"This system has been developed with smart technology because we live in a world that is constantly changing and where digital systems are dominant," Saeed continued. "Digital systems also have an impact on all areas of life, so we can use technology in the fields of education."

Highlighting the urgent need to modernize education for the "Alpha Generation"—a generation that engages with technology even before traditional literacy skills—the Minister stressed that integrating smart technology into classrooms is no longer optional but essential. "It is important that we use technology in educating a new generation," he stated, noting that this initiative aligns with global trends and has already been implemented successfully in several countries.

The Minister further revealed that the Kurdistan Region joined the Digital School project four years ago, following its introduction by the United Arab Emirates. "On the decision of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, the Ministry of Education has established a comprehensive and extensive plan for utilizing technology and strategic partnership with the Emirates," Saeed explained. "Based on this foundation, four years ago we signed a memorandum of understanding with Dr. Omar Sultan, the UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy."

Initially, 14 schools were selected to pilot the Digital School initiative. However, Minister Saeed proudly announced that the program has since expanded significantly. "Now approximately 50 schools in the Kurdistan Region are benefiting from the digital school initiative," he said.

The project aims not only to improve the accessibility and quality of education but also to prepare Kurdish students for a future where digital literacy and technological adaptability will be paramount. Through a curriculum that leverages smart systems, artificial intelligence, and digital resources, the Digital School seeks to equip students with the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

As the Kurdistan Region embraces this new era of education, the launch of the Digital School stands as a testament to the government's commitment to innovation, strategic partnerships, and investing in the next generation's future.