Kurdistan Region to set 2026-2027 school year start date at cabinet meeting

SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq — Kurdistan Region Education Minister Ali Hema Said said the official start date for the 2026-2027 academic year will be decided at a meeting of the Regional Council of Ministers scheduled for September 8-10. Said said the new academic calendar and the school opening date will be finalized during the session. According to the minister, the draft calendar has been prepared with flexibility to allow dates to be moved earlier or later in cases of overlap with holidays and official observances. The Education Ministry has drawn up a comprehensive preparation plan covering curriculum adjustments, textbook printing, teacher training programs and the logistical needs of classrooms. The ministry said its goal is to ensure the calendar is complete and implementable and that educational processes proceed smoothly. Administrative, technical and educational steps for receiving students are expected to be approved at the upcoming meeting, after which the final calendar will be announced. No further details on the proposed start date were immediately available.