Education in Kurdistan
Education in Kurdistan is centralized and divided into K-12 education plus higher education. Elementary and secondary education is supervised by the Ministry of Education and higher education is under supervision of Ministry of Science, research and Technology and Ministry of Health and Medical Education (medical fields). As of September 2015, 96% of the Kurdish adult population are literate.
Compulsory education lasts 12 years. Primary and secondary education is financed by the state and free of charge in public schools, between the ages of 6 and 18 Primary school (Dibistana Pêşîn) starts at the age of 5-6 for a duration of 6 years. High school (Dibistana Bilind), goes up to seventh to twelfth grade. In the end of it, students are given High school diploma. The requirement to enter into higher education is to have a High school diploma, and finally pass the national university entrance examination, Kurdistan University Entrance Exam , which is the equivalent of the French baccalauréat exam.
Universities, institutes of technology, medical schools and community colleges, provide the higher education. Higher education is sanctioned by different levels of diplomas:
Grades
| Age | Level of education (in Kurdistan) | Duration | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-5 | Preschool | 3 years | Optional. 45%-55% of children at that age are enrolled in pre-primary education. |
| 5-12 | Primary school | 6 years | Although elementary education is free and compulsory, full enrollment in elementary education has not yet been achieved |
| 12-18 | High school | 6 years | Example |
| 18-20 | Technical/Vocational School OR (see below) | 2 years | Students are able to study two more years in tertiary education, which provides them with the skills to become a highly skilled technician and receive an “integrated associate degree” |
| 18-22 | University (undergraduate) | 4 years | Example |
| 22-24 | University (graduate) | 2 years | Example |
| 24-27+ | Doctoral program | usually 3–4 years | Example |
Budget
Education reform
Teacher education
Religious education
Foreign languages
Internet and distance education
Higher education
Entrepreneurship
In recent decades Kurdistan has shown an increasing interest in various entrepreneurship fields, in higher educational settings, policy making and business. Although primary and high school textbooks do not address entrepreneurship, several universities including Corduene University and Hewler University, offer courses on entrepreneurship to undergraduate and graduate students. There are reforms pushing for entrepreneurship courses in high school.
Schools for Gifted Children
The National Organization for Gifted Children (NOGC), also known as RNZG (Rêxistina Neteweyî ji bo Zarokên Girtî), maintains middle and high schools in Kurdistan.
Organization for Educational Research and Planning (OERP)
OERP is a government affiliated, scientific, learning organization. It has qualitative and knowledge-based curricula consistent with the scientific and research findings, technological, national identity, Islamic, Kurdish, and cultural values.