Iraq's Education Ministry orders completion of gifted high school applications during holiday

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Education Minister Abdul Karim Abtan al-Jubouri has directed all provincial education directorates to ensure that citizen applications for gifted and talented high schools are completed during an official holiday beginning the following day. The ministry said the directive was issued so that students applying for Thursday's scheduled examinations do not miss the opportunity. According to the ministry, completing applications during the holiday will allow all eligible students to finalize the required procedures and sit for the exam on the designated date. The decision was described as an administrative measure aimed at protecting students' rights and aligning the process with the exam timetable. The ministry did not specify which day the official holiday falls on or how long it will last. No further details on the number of applicants or participating schools were immediately available.