Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – The KRG Minister of Education stated that the new academic year would begin as scheduled for most of the Kurdistan Region’s schools.

In a statement to KRG.org, Minister of Education Dr. Pishtiwan Sadiq said that the new academic year will begin on 10 September 2014, as “any delay in beginning the school year would have negative scientific consequences on students”.

The Minister of Education explained, “There are 6,743 schools in the Kurdistan Region and approximately 700 of them are accommodating the displaced, the majority of which are in Duhok Province.”

According to the latest figures, released 19 August 2014 and obtained from the special committee addressing the needs of the displaced, there are 646 schools in Duhok, Semil, Amedi, Sheikhan, Bardarash and Akre accommodating 21,509 displaced families – 129,023 refugees in total.

The Minister noted, “The grade 12 students whose schools are still accommodating the displaced will start their academic year on time at locations designed for them, while students in other grades will begin their studies later when the schools currently used to house displaced civilians become available. “

Minister Sadiq added, “After displaced families are accommodated elsewhere and leave the schools, committees will be formed under the supervision of the school headmasters to oversee the cleaning, renovation and preparation of the schools for the academic year.”

Kawa Omar, Assistant Director General of Planning in the Ministry of Education, said, “The UNHCR has planned to house the displaced families in camps, and they will create camps accordingly.”

In Ainkawa, the Christian suburb of Erbil, 11 schools are currently being used to shelter displaced Christians. Grade 12 students will begin their studies on time, attending school in a location designated by the Ministry of Education until their schools become available.

Finally, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani oversees the KRG’s committee for constructing camps and providing for the needs of the displaced families in Duhok province. The members of the committee are Minister of Education Dr. Pishtiwan Sadiq, Minister of Planning Dr. Ali Sindi, Minister of Housing and Construction Darbaz Kosrat Rasul, and President of the Divan of the Council of Ministers, Nechirvan Ahmed.