Kurdish Teaching to Begin in Syrian Schools in 2026–2027 Academic Year

SANA

Syria Introduces Kurdish as Elective School Subject.

For the first time, Kurdish-language education will be formally introduced in Syrian schools during the 2026–2027 academic year.

Under Decree No. 13 of 2026 and executive instructions issued by Syria’s Ministry of Education, Kurdish has been designated as an elective subject, with students receiving two lessons per week.

The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that the decision is based on Decree No. 13, issued on 16 January 2026. Article 1 of the decree recognises Syrian Kurds as an essential and integral part of the Syrian people, stating that their cultural and linguistic identity forms an inseparable part of Syria’s unified yet diverse national identity.

Article 3 states that Kurdish is recognised as a national language and may be taught in public and private schools in areas with significant Kurdish populations, either as an elective subject or as part of cultural and educational activities.

On 26 January, Syria’s Ministry of Education issued executive instructions outlining how the decree would be implemented.

Mazloum Abdi, Commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), previously described the introduction of Kurdish as a mother-tongue subject in Kurdish-majority areas as a result of the revolution and the sacrifices made by the Kurdish people.

Speaking during celebrations marking the centenary of the founding of Qamishli, Abdi said Syria’s next phase should be based on rejecting chauvinistic policies and demographic change while guaranteeing all communities the right to preserve their languages and identities. He stressed that, in a “new Syria”, every child should have the right to receive education in their mother tongue.

Under the curriculum plan, Kurdish will be taught as an elective subject twice a week across all school grades, with students’ marks in the subject included in their overall grade average.

The instructions task the National Centre for Educational Curriculum Development with preparing Kurdish-language curricula for all educational levels within six months. The curricula are expected to be prepared, approved and printed before the start of the 2026–2027 academic year.

Education directorates and supervisory bodies have also been instructed to recruit qualified Kurdish-language teachers from within or outside the existing teaching workforce. Candidates will undergo written and oral examinations to assess their proficiency in Kurdish, while teachers appointed to teach the subject will receive training and professional development.


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