Four schools in Chamchamal censured after closing early for Eid break

SULAYMANIYAH — Four schools in Chamchamal district closed early ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday without official authorization, prompting education officials to take administrative action on Tuesday.

Parents contacted the Chamchamal Education Directorate after finding schools closed and said teachers had instructed students not to return before the holiday. The directorate initially denied any early closure, stating attendance was continuing as scheduled. Families, however, insisted that teachers told students to begin the break early.

Abdullah Hama Kakarash, head of the Chamchamal Education Directorate, visited the affected schools and confirmed that classes had been suspended without approval. The closures involved Khaki Elementary in Chamchamal, Hezhani Elementary in Shorash subdistrict, and Darawari and Qarkhi elementary schools in Sangaw subdistrict.

“The school gates were locked and classes had been suspended without any official approval,” Kakarash told 964media. “Just like some people go home early before Eid, these teachers told their students to leave and closed the schools on their own.”

Kakarash said the entire administrative and teaching staff at the four schools will be marked absent for Tuesday. If they return to work the following day, only Tuesday will be recorded as unexcused absence. However, if they fail to return, additional days during Eid will also be counted against them.

He emphasized the closures were not part of any organized strike or protest. “They stopped work during regular school hours on their own and not through any formal action,” he said.

Chamchamal’s education district includes 203 schools. Officials said only four were reported to have shut down early.

The education sector in Sulaymaniyah and Halabja has faced ongoing disruptions this year due to teacher strikes over unpaid salaries.