Kurdish Students: we want to learn in our mother tongue

A number of students at Ibn Al-Rushd School in the city of Hasakah expressed their rejection of the transitional government's decision to reduce Kurdish-language instruction to three classes per week. They stressed their commitment to their right to learn in their mother tongue.

The student Marwa Dawoud said that the students are committed to their right to education in their mother tongue, and that they comprehend subjects better when they learn in their mother tongue. She added that any change to this system would have a significant impact on them.

She added that limiting Kurdish-language instruction to three classes per week is unacceptable, and called for every component to be taught in its mother tongue.

Marwa reaffirmed her commitment to her Kurdish identity and called for the establishment of an authority responsible for defending their right to education in their language. She also called on Kurdish society to uphold its right to education in its own language.

For her part, student Amanda Khalaf confirmed that the student's study in Kurdish and reject any decision that affects their right to continue their education in the language.

Meanwhile, student Jwana Ahmo said that she rejects the transitional government's decision to reduce Kurdish-language instruction to three classes, because the Kurdish language represents a part of her identity and a right of hers. She expressed hope that the decision would be amended in a way that guarantees the right of all components to education in their respective languages.

Jwana added that Kurdish students want to continue their education in their mother tongue and remain committed to their right to do so.

For her part, student Shilan Khalaf rejected giving up her Kurdish language, saying that limiting its instruction to three classes is not sufficient. She said that all Kurdish students reject the decision and remain committed to studying in their Kurdish language.

Student Sara Imad likewise rejected studying in a language other than her mother tongue and said: “Our language is our existence, and we will not accept the imposition of Arabization on our schools.”

She reaffirmed her commitment to her right to continue her education in Kurdish and said that changing the existing education system would affect students who began their studies in Kurdish.

For her part, student Nurdah Murad said that the students’ demand is to continue studying in their mother tongue. She questioned whether any other component would accept being forced to learn in a language different from its own language and culture.

Student Benkin Haso criticized the sudden change to the curriculum, pointing out that students had studied in Kurdish for years and that the curriculum cannot be changed suddenly and another language imposed on them.

Student Diana Ahmo said that students face difficulties studying in Arabic because they are not proficient in reading and writing in the language, having received their education in Kurdish for many consecutive years.

Student Julia Ayo also confirmed that studying in Kurdish had enabled them to understand educational subjects better, and that the new decision had created educational difficulties for students.

Student Simar Imad said that he does not master Arabic, asking how he could receive his education in the language. He stressed his commitment to his right to study in his mother tongue and rejected the transitional government's decision.

ANHA