Iraqi Council of Representatives is done with the first reading of a bill which calls for allocating 30,000 IQD (approx. $25) as monthly allowances for grade school students, Xendan news agency reported today.

The Kurdish agency cited Burhan Muhamad Faraj, a Kurdish MP at the Committee of Education in the Iraqi Council, saying the aim behind the bill is to encourage the students to continue with their study.

The step will also help the disadvantaged families so that they do not drop their children out of school.

Faraj said if the allowance is ratified the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq will also adopt and enforce the law.

Currently only the higher education students (diploma, bachelor, masters and Ph.D) receive monthly allowances from the government.

AKnews