Kirkuk schools see delays in receiving books and school supplies from ministry

KIRKUK, October 5 — Kirkuk’s education directorate has experienced significant shortages in printed school materials in recent years, according to a local source who said pupils do not have the required texts as the academic year gets underway.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “The majority of Kirkuk’s schools have not received their allocations of books and stationery,” adding, “No more than 50 percent of elementary school materials have been distributed, with each student receiving only three books for reading, mathematics, and science.”

According to the sourche, middle school students have only received 25 percent of their materials, delaying teachers’ lesson plans.

“The Ministry refuses to print temporary supplements for students, even at the expense of school administrations or fees paid by the students’ families,” the source added.