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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Kurdistan Region is slashing tuition fees of the current academic year for those in a paid program at its public universities, as well as private universities, the Ministry of Higher Education said on Thursday as a financial crisis deepens.
While most students enrolled at public higher education institutions do not pay tuition, those who have not received high-enough marks in government examinations are eligible to enroll in a paid “parallel system” program. The ministry in a statement said it would reduce fees for them by 45%.
Private universities will have to reduce their fees by up to 20% as well, it added.
The education sector in the Kurdistan Region has become increasingly privatized as the Region faces an economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the aftermath of the war with the Islamic State (ISIS), the budget disputes with Baghdad, as well as drops in oil prices.
The Region’s education system has been widely criticized by even top officials.
“The education system in the Kurdistan Region needs repairing and reform in a way that fits today’s scientific and universal standard scale,” Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said last month. He emphasized that a strong education system is crucial for a strong future.
President Nechirvan Barzani also urged sweeping reforms to the education system.
Last month, the minister of higher education Aram Mohammed called for a dramatic overhaul of the education system, saying it does not “meet our present-day needs.”
While most students enrolled at public higher education institutions do not pay tuition, those who have not received high-enough marks in government examinations are eligible to enroll in a paid “parallel system” program. The ministry in a statement said it would reduce fees for them by 45%.
Private universities will have to reduce their fees by up to 20% as well, it added.
The education sector in the Kurdistan Region has become increasingly privatized as the Region faces an economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the aftermath of the war with the Islamic State (ISIS), the budget disputes with Baghdad, as well as drops in oil prices.
The Region’s education system has been widely criticized by even top officials.
“The education system in the Kurdistan Region needs repairing and reform in a way that fits today’s scientific and universal standard scale,” Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said last month. He emphasized that a strong education system is crucial for a strong future.
President Nechirvan Barzani also urged sweeping reforms to the education system.
Last month, the minister of higher education Aram Mohammed called for a dramatic overhaul of the education system, saying it does not “meet our present-day needs.”
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