Iraq Updates First-Grade Reading and Fourth-Grade Math Curricula

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Education has announced updates to the first-grade reading curriculum and the fourth-grade high school mathematics curriculum, according to a statement published in the official gazette. Ministry spokesman Karim al-Seyid said the revised first-grade reading curriculum is currently being piloted in several cities and will be rolled out to schools nationwide starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. Al-Seyid said the new first-grade reading program was designed with comprehensive content aimed at developing students' language and thinking skills, and will be delivered through simplified, modern teaching methods. He added that the updated fourth-grade high school mathematics curriculum has also been prepared and will be introduced in the next academic year. The ministry said the updated curricula have been incorporated into its printing plan for the new school year and that preparations are ongoing. Al-Seyid noted that the printing and contracting processes for the new textbooks are expected to be completed, with administrative steps for the new program being carried out during that period. The ministry said last week that the existing curricula remain unchanged and that administrative and contractual procedures for printing textbooks under the new printing plan were still being finalized.