Students from Qamishlo: Learning in our mother tongue is our natural right

The decision issued by the Ministry of Education in the Syrian transitional government, numbered 2068/964 and issued late last August, has sparked discontent among Kurdish students. They pointed out that allocating three class periods for studying in Kurdish does not meet their aspirations, stressing their rejection of the decision.

“The decision aims to put an end to the Kurdish language”

In this context, a number of female students from the city of Qamishlo spoke to ANHA's agency. Student Zilan Yusuf began by calling for the decision to be reconsidered. She stated that the decision aims to put an end to the Kurdish language, pointing out that three Kurdish-language classes per week are insufficient and do not meet their need to learn in Kurdish. She called for the curricula to be taught in Kurdish at all stages of education.

“Ending the Kurdish language means ending Kurdish identity”

For her part, student Kinaz Fahd Abdo said that the decision to limit Kurdish to three class periods is unacceptable. She called for the decision to be reconsidered, noting that throughout the course of the revolution, they had studied in Kurdish. She affirmed their determination to complete their education in their mother tongue, stressing that the Kurdish language represents their existence.

She emphasized that ending the Kurdish language means ending Kurdish identity, noting that, as students, they do not know Arabic well because they studied in Kurdish in schools.

“Learning in Kurdish is a natural right, and it cannot be reversed”

For her part, student Layla Abdul Halim Ali said that she rejects the decision issued by the Ministry of Education, explaining that, as students, they have studied in Kurdish over the past years, so how can they continue their education in another language?

Layla continued by saying that they are part of the Syrian people and that they have the right to learn in their mother tongue because it is a natural right. She said that the curricula should be in Kurdish.

She pointed out that they do not reject the Arabic language, but that the curriculum should be taught in Kurdish, alongside Kurdish-language classes, in order to master the language as well.

At the end of her statement, Layla affirmed that learning in Kurdish is a natural right and cannot be reversed.

ANHA