Kurdistan Region suspends school exams, urges students in Iran to return

ERBIL — The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Education announced Friday that all school examinations will be suspended for one week beginning Saturday, June 14, in response to rising tensions between Iran and Israel.

The decision applies to all schools in the region — public, private, and international — and includes final exams for 12th-grade students and second-term exams for all other grades.

“All exams, including the final exams for 12th grade students in all branches, as well as second-term exams for all grades, will be postponed,” the ministry said in a statement. “No exams will be held in any educational center during this week.”

Officials said the measure was taken in the interest of public safety. A new examination schedule will be released at a later date, the ministry said.

Separately, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research issued guidance Friday for Kurdish students enrolled at universities in Iran. The move follows Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory earlier in the day as part of escalating military operations.

“Due to the current situation in the region and for the safety of students from the Kurdistan Region studying at universities in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the ministry has decided to advise students to either return or remain in Kurdistan,” ministry spokesperson Abbas Akram told 964media.

The advisory remains in effect through July 1, 2025, and will be reassessed based on developments. Absences resulting from the advisory will be treated as permitted leave, Akram added.