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In Iraqi Kurdistan, a new front in the struggle is emerging following on recent Iraqi National Council elections. Educators are raising the alarm about the growing political influence in schools, warning that the sanctity of education is under threat.

Schools should never be a place for political manipulation

For Abdulwahed Mohammed Haje, President of the Kurdistan Teachers’ Union (KTU), the issue is clear: “Everyone understands an important fact: educational institutions do not belong to a single person or political party. They do not represent only one group of people. They are not institutions that should be used by a certain political side for their own goals. Schools should never be a place for political manipulation.”

Haje added that: “Educational institutions are considered sacred and highly respected. They are national institutions serving every group of society, i.e. different ideologies, different backgrounds, and different viewpoints. Because of their importance, they are protected. No one is allowed to interfere unless it improves education and serves its true goals.”

Political pressure in the classroom

The recent elections brought the issue into sharp focus. According to the KTU, political meetings were held during school hours, with party symbols and scarves on display. “Many school leaders were openly campaigning and asking teachers to vote for a particular party, violating individual freedom and human rights,” Haje reported.

The pressure didn’t stop with teachers. In some schools, students were asked to vote for a specific party and even bring their parents’ voting cards. “They faced hidden threats such as lower grades or punishment. There were also promises of money and benefits, like being allowed into exams,” Haje added.

The cost: Eroding trust and undermining education

For many educators, the consequences are dire. “What happened is not only a violation of the sanctity of education, but also a dangerous crime against the future of the education system. It destroys the value of education. If this continues, schools will simply become political tools. Every party will want to use them for its own benefit. This will destroy principles, spread political control everywhere, and threaten social peace,” Haje warned.

The KTU president’s call is unequivocal: “Leadership positions in education—such as school principals, assistants, and teachers—should be selected only by merit, not by political affiliation. No one should promote or elevate themselves individually inside a school. Everything should be for the student. The goal is to create educated people to benefit the country.”

A call for reform

As the region looks to the future, the KTU leader and other education advocates are urging political parties and educational leaders to step back and protect the independence of schools. “Schools do not belong to one party, rather they belong to society, to its present, and to its future,” Haje concluded.