Closure of mixed school in Erbil causes chaos

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Education authorities in Erbil city recently decided to separate boys and girls of a village school after several parents and clergymen argued that co-education goes against their beliefs. The decision has left the students’ future uncertain. They went on a strike earlier this week to protest the developments. 

Martyr Akram School in Jamk village suffers from lack of teachers ever since the school was recently divided into two.

Students say the local authorities should at least delay the implementation of the decision until the end of this academic year, adding that they are deprived of proper education. 

“This [decision] causes a teacher shortage, and we do not have proper marking or stable teachers. We have not done any quizzes. Teachers say ‘Why should I teach if you are eventually going to be separated?’” Peshang Peshkawt, one of the male students, told Rudaw while on strike in front of their school.

A female student said they are fine with the decision if it does not affect their studies, noting that a relevant committee visited them and promised to resolve the teacher shortage. 

“The committee [members] come… and promise to provide 12 teachers before separating [the students]. Look, the school has been split but no teacher has been provided and nothing has been done for us,” Shokhan Abdulwahid told Rudaw. 

Didar Harooti is a clergyman and is said to have played a key role in the separation. 

“Honestly, people are not ready to send their daughters to a school where boys and girls are together. It [co-education] could have [negative] effects on their [students] knowledge and have social and tribal consequences. Some men might not be willing to send their daughters to such schools,” he said, adding that they are a “tribal community.”

Many parents have taken their daughters out of the school, saying co-education causes social issues. 

“Our traditions don’t accept the mixture of girls and boys due to honor and tribal issues. Tens of girls have dropped out. Mine is not the only case. Co-education has triggered many to drop out,” Khasro Hamid, who has taken his daughter out of school, told Rudaw. 

Rudaw has learned that local educational authorities have decided to review the separation decision following the strike.