Iraq moves private school closure applications to state e-platform 'Ur'

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Education has shifted the closure process for private educational institutions to a digital channel, announcing that applications will be filed through the government's 'Ur' electronic platform. The ministry's General Directorate of Private and Foreign Education said the new procedure takes effect immediately. Under the decision, private schools seeking to shut down must submit their closure requests through a designated electronic link starting July 28. The Baghdad-based education authority said the move is part of its broader digital transformation and bureaucratic simplification program. Applicants will complete the closure process step by step within the platform, with any requests for additional documents also handled through the same system. The ministry said the change is intended to streamline procedures and reduce delays that have previously affected closure proceedings. The directorate did not specify how many private schools are expected to use the new channel or whether existing paper-based applications would still be accepted. No further details were immediately available.