Kongra Star calls for Kurdish-language education

Kongra Star in the city of Derbasiyah reaffirmed its rejection of the decision issued by the Ministry of Education in the transitional government on August 27, which limits the teaching of the Kurdish language. Kongra Star described the decision as an attack on the gains of the Kurdish people and their struggle to secure their linguistic and cultural rights.

The statement was issued by Kongra Star today, Tuesday, with the participation of members of civil institutions and councils in Derbasiyah. It was read in Kurdish by Kongra Star member Aya Hussein and in Arabic by member Fatima Kalash.

The statement said that including the Kurdish language in the education curriculum is a positive step, but does not fully address demands for education in the mother tongue. It added that allocating three weekly classes to Kurdish does not amount to effective recognition of the Kurdish community's right to receive education in its mother tongue.

The statement explained that the right to education in the mother tongue and the status of the Kurdish language within the education system require expanding the space allocated to it in the educational process, ensuring a greater and more organized presence in educational institutions.

It also stressed that developing Kurdish-language curricula could help strengthen children’s connection to their language and expand its presence in educational institutions. However, it said this alone would not be sufficient to guarantee the full right to education in one’s mother tongue. It called for Kurdish to be adopted as a core language of instruction in areas where Kurds make up a significant proportion of the population.

In conclusion, Kongra Star called for broader discussions on language and education policy in Syria and for moving beyond limited recognition of the Kurdish language toward a comprehensive framework that ensures its continuity and development within educational institutions, while constitutionally and legally safeguarding the linguistic and educational rights of the Kurdish people.

ANHA