Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Syrian Kurds Seek Full Kurdish Schooling as Damascus Reasserts Authority
Syrian Kurdish students used to learn nearly every subject in Kurdish.
Now, Syria’s government is bringing Kurdish-majority areas back under central state authority.
A new rule allows Kurdish to be taught, but only for three class periods each week.
Some subjects may also be taught in Kurdish, including history and geography.
Students say this is not enough because they have studied in Kurdish for many years.
Kurdish officials want the entire curriculum taught in Kurdish, while also keeping Arabic, English, and other languages available.
Syria’s education minister says translating everything into Kurdish would be difficult because schools need specialized teachers and students must later attend university.
Some teachers are asking for a one- or two-year transition period.
Syria’s education ministry recognized Kurdish as a national language in areas with significant Kurdish populations.
The new decree limits Kurdish instruction to three class sessions weekly, according to the report.
Kurdish officials and students want all subjects taught in Kurdish, alongside other languages.
Education Minister Mohammed Abdul Rahman Turko said fully translating the curriculum would create staffing and university-continuity difficulties.
The dispute follows the reintegration of Kurdish-majority regions into the Syrian state after years of self-rule.
- Who
- Syrian Kurdish students, teachers and officials, and Syria’s education authorities.
- What
- They are disputing whether Kurdish-majority areas should use a limited Kurdish-language program or a fully Kurdish-language curriculum.
- When
- At the start of the first school year after the regions’ reintegration into the Syrian state; students protested before and during the new school year.
- Where
- Kurdish-majority regions of northern Syria, including Qamishli.
- Why
- Kurds seek to preserve education in their mother tongue after years of Kurdish self-rule, while the government cites practical difficulties involving teachers and university studies.
Kurdish community position
Syrian government position
Extent of Kurdish-language education
Kurdish community position
Kurdish students and officials say all subjects should be taught in Kurdish because many pupils have studied that way since 2012.
Syrian government position
The education ministry’s decree allows Kurdish instruction and permits some subjects to be taught in Kurdish, but does not establish a fully Kurdish curriculum.
Practicality of a full translation
Kurdish community position
Kurdish officials describe recognition of Kurdish as a good initial step but say it falls short of community demands.
Syrian government position
Education Minister Mohammed Abdul Rahman Turko said translating the entire curriculum would be very difficult because schools would need teachers for every specialty and students would need to continue to university.
- Kurdish instruction
- The new decree limits Kurdish-language instruction to three sessions per week, according to the report.
- Subjects eligible for Kurdish
- Geography, history, social studies and philosophy may be taught in Kurdish.
- Subjects taught in Arabic
- Kurdish officials said sciences and mathematics would be taught in Arabic under the new arrangements.
- Kurdish demand
- Kurdish students and officials want all subjects taught in Kurdish, alongside Arabic, English and other languages.
- Government concern
- Education Minister Mohammed Abdul Rahman Turko cited the difficulty of providing specialized teachers and ensuring university-study continuity.
- Transition proposal
- Teacher Mohamed Ahmed called for a transition period of one or two years.