Disabled Iraqi civil servants protest master’s degree restrictions in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Dozens of civil servants staged a protest outside the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Baghdad, demanding the reversal of a government decision that blocks disabled public employees from completing their master’s degrees. The demonstrators chanted slogans asserting that education is a right guaranteed by the constitution and called for the order to be rescinded. Protester Zahra Fadel, a disabled civil servant, said she passed the master’s entrance examination under a two-seat quota for disabled applicants but was removed from the program after the decree was issued. Fadel said the time allotted to complete official procedures was insufficient, costing her the opportunity to enroll. Mariam Jasim Mohammed, a master’s student, described Cabinet Decision No. 11 of 2026 as unjust and unconstitutional, saying she had not sought any financial benefits during her studies and was willing to accept only her nominal salary. Contract employee Abdulhassan Karim said passing the exam was already difficult, and that the subsequent decision dealt a heavy blow to affected students. No further details on a ministry response were immediately available.