In her article, Mizgin Hasan raises serious concerns about the future of Kurdish-language education in northeastern Syria following recent remarks by interim presidency spokesperson Ahmed al-Hilali. Speaking to Rudaw, Hilali outlined two proposals: offering Kurdish as an optional subject for two hours per week or translating the national curriculum into Kurdish. He supported the first option but rejected Kurdish-medium education, arguing it could limit students’ job prospects. Hasan criticizes this stance as inconsistent with the government’s own commitments and warns it risks reducing Kurdish to a symbolic rather than functional language.
These positions contradict Decree No. 13, which recognizes Kurdish as a national language and affirms Kurds as an indigenous people of Syria. Hasan emphasizes that limiting Kurdish instruction undermines both the decree and the January 29 agreement granting autonomy to Kurdish regions.
Historical context and ongoing tensions
Hasan also situates the debate within a broader historical context of linguistic marginalization. She recalls that similar proposals were rejected in the past, including by former Vice President Abdulhalim Khaddam during the Baath era. According to Hasan, the re-emergence of such proposals is particularly troubling given the role Kurdish forces played in defeating ISIS and establishing alternative governance and education systems in their مناطق.
She argues that concerns about employability are not inherent to Kurdish-language education but stem from state policy choices. By integrating Kurdish into public institutions, the government could ensure equal opportunities for Kurdish-speaking graduates.
Language policies around the world: Lessons for Syria
Drawing on international examples, Mizgin Hasan highlights how multilingual states successfully balance unity and diversity:
- Singapore maintains four official languages within a bilingual education system, combining economic functionality with cultural preservation.
- Canada links bilingualism in English and French directly to public sector employment opportunities.
- Finland sustains parallel education systems in Finnish and Swedish, even for a small minority population.
Hasan argues that these models demonstrate how Syria could adopt an inclusive approach—retaining Arabic as a primary language while granting Kurdish full official status.
Calls for inclusive policy and recognition
In the final part of her article, Mizgin Hasan stresses that Kurdish is already a developed language of education and administration, particularly in Rojava. She points to international recognition of Kurdish in academia and media as further evidence of its viability.
Hasan concludes that the issue is not merely educational but fundamentally about rights and recognition. She argues that granting Kurdish official status is essential for Syria’s stability and cohesion, warning that continued marginalization risks deepening divisions rather than fostering unity.
