Erbil, Kurdistan Region – In a significant move to promote Kurdish language and culture abroad, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) announced on Tuesday a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Education and the Kurdish Diaspora Confederation. The agreement aims to institutionalize Kurdish language education for diaspora communities, ensuring greater access to learning resources and cultural awareness for students worldwide.

The initiative, supported by Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the Ministry of Education, builds on efforts since 2022 to provide Kurdish language instruction to students living abroad. Thousands of students have already benefited from online lessons, learning to read and write in Kurdish while gaining knowledge about Kurdish history and culture.

“Since 2022, we have collaborated with the Kurdish Diaspora Confederation to teach the Kurdish language to students of different ages living abroad,” said Saman Siwaili, spokesperson for the Ministry of Education. “The new MoU will formalize these efforts and establish the Directorate of Kurdish Studies Abroad within the ministry to oversee and expand these programs.”

The agreement includes measures to integrate Kurdish language teachers overseas into the KRG’s education system, granting them access to digital services and training programs. Additionally, the ministry plans to deploy more teachers from the Kurdistan Region to support Kurdish schools abroad.

“Many Kurdish schools operate in European countries under the supervision of the Confederation,” Siwaili explained. “We will provide direct assistance, including sending Kurdish language textbooks and other resources to these schools.”

To date, 2,450 Kurdish language textbooks have been distributed to Kurdish schools outside the Kurdistan Region. Under the new MoU, officials plan to expand the program further, ensuring that teachers and students have the necessary tools to sustain and develop Kurdish education globally.

“This MoU will strengthen the connection between the Ministry of Education and Kurdish schools abroad,” Siwaili added. “It ensures that teachers and students receive the resources they need to preserve and promote Kurdish language and culture beyond Kurdistan.”

The initiative underscores the KRG’s commitment to supporting diaspora communities and fostering a stronger sense of cultural identity among Kurdish youth worldwide. With the formalization of these efforts, the Kurdish language and heritage are set to thrive in communities far from the homeland.