Iraq cuts parallel education tuition discount for new students from 50% to 30%

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Higher Education has reduced the tuition discount for newly enrolled students in central and international parallel education programs from 50% to 30%, effective with the 2025–2026 academic year. The ministry said the 50% discount rate remains in place for students already enrolled in earlier cohorts. The decision, issued under the government of former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, also eliminated a separate discount previously granted to top-performing students. Students and parents have described the change as sudden and insufficient, calling for the original discount rate to be restored. Muhammed Hassan Ali, a doctoral student, said the policy was unfair and disregarded high-achieving students. Mustafa Karagholi, a master's student, warned that the lower discount could force some students to abandon their studies. Lawmaker Burhan al-Muammari said Higher Education Minister Abdulhussein al-Musawi had approved reinstating the previous discount rate for central and international parallel education programs, but the move still requires final approval from the ministry's advisory council and the Council of Ministers before taking effect.