Iraq bans 'golden classes' at private schools ahead of new academic year

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Education Minister Abdulkarim Ubayd al-Juburi has ordered a ban on private schools operating "golden classes" and similarly labeled programs during the summer break, the ministry said. The directive, sent to education directorates across the country, stated that the practice violates regulations governing private and foreign schools as well as ministerial instructions. Al-Juburi called for inspections of private schools to be intensified and for legal and administrative penalties to be imposed on institutions that fail to comply. The ministry said the decision was taken to safeguard the structure of the academic year and ensure adherence to the official school calendar. No further details on the timeline for enforcement or the scope of penalties were immediately available.