Kurdistan Region education ministry, UNICEF, launch campaign to reintegrate dropouts

ERBIL — The Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Education, in coordination with UNICEF, has launched the “Education for All” campaign, aimed at reintegrating students who have dropped out or never attended school. The campaign, announced on Thursday, will continue for another 16 days.

UNICEF is a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children around the world.

The initiative offers multiple educational pathways, including regular, non-formal, online, and remote learning options. “We want to offer a second chance to those who have dropped out or never attended school through multiple educational opportunities,” said Alan Hama Saeed, Kurdistan Regional Government’s Minister of Education, in a statement.

Launched with the start of the academic year on Oct. 1, 2024, the campaign is part of the ministry’s efforts to address education gaps in the region.

A recent report by the Directorate of Social Monitoring at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs revealed that 1,446 children in the Kurdistan Region are currently working, with 55% having dropped out of school and 9% never enrolling.

UNICEF is running a similar program in Iraq’s federal governorates, aiming to combat school dropout rates. The program began on September 15 and will continue until the end of October.