The date for students in Iraq to return to class for the 2026–2027 academic year has been moved from September 20 to October 11. The start of the new academic term has therefore been postponed by three weeks.
Iraqi Education Minister Abdulkarim al-Juburi said the decision was made to allow make-up exams to be completed and schools to be prepared for the new term.
High temperatures also taken into account
During the postponement period, schools are expected to complete preparations for the academic year and address their technical and administrative needs. High temperatures were also taken into consideration in making the decision.
The Iraqi Meteorological Organization forecast that temperatures could reach 46 degrees Celsius in four provinces in the south of the country and 43 degrees Celsius in the capital, Baghdad. The weather is expected to be very hot during the day and milder in the morning and at night.