Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Minister of Education Alan Hama Saeed on July 18 announced that the KRG Ministry of Education had made several decisions to provide support to Yezidi survivors, including free education to survivors who have graduated from the ninth grade. 

Kurdistan 24 reported that survivors registered on the official list who have graduated from the ninth grade will be entitled to study in all private institutions in the Kurdistan Region free of charge for five academic years.

Moreover, Yezidi survivors who completed the ninth grade but were captured by ISIS will be exempt from certain educational requirements and age restrictions.

“A second chance for survivors to continue their education is crucial. Unfortunately, the current education system in Iraq removes all students who have had a break in their studies at the primary and secondary levels,” Sinjar Academy Co-founder and President Murad Ismael told Kurdistan Chronicle.

“This policy has affected thousands of students, not just survivors, forcing them to discontinue their education. I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to study, especially given the incredibly difficult times many families have endured over the past 10 years.”

Free Yezidi Foundation (FYF) Executive Director Pari Ibrahim underlined that education is the most important tool for the next generation of Yezidis. 

“We at FYF have been critical of the Iraq and KRG governments for not doing enough to support Yezidi recovery, especially because of Iraq’s enormous annual budget of $153 billion,” she said.

“In this case, I must say this is a positive step, and I applaud the authorities for this decision. Ensuring education for Yezidi survivors is a great thing to do and a meaningful step forward.”

In 2014, the Yezidi people were victim to a genocide perpetrated by ISIS. Thousands of Yezidi men were massacred for refusing to convert to Islam, while women and girls were abducted and enslaved.

To this day, hundreds of Yezidi girls and children are still missing.

Despite the trauma they have suffered, many Yezidi survivors continue to excel in their education.

Read More: Honoring the Unbroken: The Story of Shireen Khero

For example Shireen Khero, a 30-year-old Yezidi survivor of the genocide perpetrated by ISIS, defied all odds, and graduated in June 2024 with a business management degree from the American University of Kurdistan. At her graduation she was awarded the Honor of Resilience by KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.