The Kurdistan Teachers’ Union (KTU) has raised a significant concern: there are too many holidays in the academic calendar, which disrupts learning for both teachers and students. This is making it hard for everyone to keep pace with the curriculum.
Since changes to the curriculum in 2007 and 2008, educators have emphasized the importance of sufficient instructional time. This time is crucial for teachers to share knowledge and for students to absorb it, preparing them for future challenges. Unfortunately, this ideal scenario hasn’t played out.
KTU President Abdulwahed Muhammad Haje pointed out that the required instructional time isn’t being met. In the 2012–2013 school year, often hailed as a success, students had only 133 actual teaching days, excluding exams. Attempts to extend the school year during Dr. Ismat’s time as education minister were unsuccessful, largely due to the excessive holidays.
Despite prior discussions on this topic during a conference led by former Prime Minister Dr. Barham Salih, no effective solutions have emerged. Instead, the number of school days has been reduced from six to five each week, worsening the situation.
The disconnect between education systems in wealthy countries and Kurdistan is concerning. Research shows that too many holidays frustrate teachers and inhibit learning. “This year alone, there were 30 holidays in the first semester, plus extra days lost for elections and a census,” Haje noted.
The issue is further complicated by politically motivated holiday declarations. Often, holidays are extended to create long weekends, disrupting the academic flow and leaving educators struggling to cover the material they need to teach.
Haje insists that the Ministry of Education must take responsibility. While certain holidays are unavoidable, the ministry should safeguard the academic calendar from excessive disruption. A teacher shared a poignant observation that political leaders’ children enjoy vacations abroad, while less fortunate students face the consequences of these disruptions.
To tackle these challenges, Haje proposed several solutions:
- Create an educational calendar with minimal holidays, allowing for necessary religious and national observances.
- Ensure at least 200 teaching days to complete the curriculum effectively.
- Provide full compensation for teachers to avoid forced holidays that impact education.
“Education is vital for a nation’s growth. The Kurdistan government must act quickly to reform the academic calendar and provide students with the steady education they need,” said Haje.
He also highlighted that during the 2022-2023 academic year, the actual study days totaled only 173 with just 692 hours of instruction, much lower than necessary. Teachers have voiced concerns, not just about the loss of Saturdays, but about broader issues affecting their profession.
Some of their key concerns include:
- Timely salary payments.
- Opportunities for promotions.
- Continuous development opportunities for teachers.
- Legal protections for teachers to uphold their dignity.
Haje believes these changes will encourage educators to refine their skills and fulfill their teaching responsibilities effectively, benefiting their students in the long run.
