Mother’s determination leads to creation of special needs school in kirkuk

KIRKUK — Determined to care for her child with special needs, Iftikhar Khalifa founded Al-Irada School for Special Needs in Kirkuk’s Al-Hadideen district. What started as a deeply personal mission has grown into a critical lifeline for 52 students, offering support for conditions like autism, hyperactivity, and speech difficulties.

“We do not charge large sums for the services we offer, and some students receive all services for free,” Khalifa told 964media. “This project is not about profit; it’s about humanity and education.”

Khalifa explained how her own challenges as a mother shaped her vision. “The idea came to me because my son has special needs. After enduring countless struggles, I decided to enter this field and develop myself to better support children like him.”

She recounted her early involvement: “I would do everything — sometimes cleaning, sometimes teaching — just to stay close to my son. I later enrolled in special education courses to learn how to interact with children like him and improve my skills.”

“As a mother, I understand what my child needs and how to help him progress,” she said.

Eman Hassan, another teacher at the school, elaborated on the specific challenges of educating special needs students. “Each student requires a specific approach to teaching and care,” Hassan told 964media. “For example, if I have seven students, the way I interact with each of them differs significantly.”

The school operates as a non-profit, focused entirely on creating a supportive environment for children and their families. Through Khalifa’s leadership and the dedication of teachers like Hassan, Al-Irada has become a vital resource in addressing the educational needs of children with disabilities in Kirkuk.