Lawyer says mother-tongue education is key to protecting Kurdish identity

Lawyer Ali Mohammed Iskan says education in Kurdish should be guaranteed and taught beyond a small number of lessons, arguing that learning in a student’s mother tongue can support academic development as well as cultural identity. His comments come amid concerns about the reduced presence of Kurdish in schools; the extent of any changes to instruction has not been specified.

Iskan said students can more easily understand information, express ideas and take part in discussions when they learn in a language they already know. He also argued that mother-tongue instruction can help students develop reading, writing and analytical skills, while reducing the effort spent navigating an unfamiliar language.

Why he says language matters in school

Iskan, a specialist in cultural and civil rights and human rights, described Kurdish as part of the community’s historical and cultural heritage. He said teaching in the language can strengthen students’ understanding of their history, foster a sense of belonging and help them feel that their identity is recognized. These are his arguments; the account does not provide independent research measuring the academic effects he describes.

He warned that restricting Kurdish instruction to particular lessons, areas or schools could make families and students worry about the language’s future. In his view, less Kurdish in education could reduce its use among families and institutions and weaken its place in the lives of younger generations. He also said three lessons a week are insufficient to teach a range of subjects in Kurdish. The article ends before giving his full account of how lesson time should be set.

Rights provisions he cited

Iskan pointed to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities. He cited Convention articles 29 and 30, concerning respect for a child’s cultural identity and language and the right of minority children to use their language.

He also cited paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 4 of the U.N. declaration, which call for opportunities for minorities to learn their mother tongue or receive education in it, and for educational measures that promote knowledge of minority histories, traditions, languages and cultures. Iskan called for Kurdish education to be constitutionally guaranteed; no specific policy response or implementation plan is included in the account.

This report draws on information from ANHA.