In the presence of government officials, local community representatives, and donors, the Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF) laid the foundation stone for the construction of a new secondary school in Haji Kalo Village, located in the Bastora subdistrict within the Pirmam District, as part of its efforts to support and strengthen education and learning.
The foundation stone-laying ceremony was held on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, in the presence of Musa Ahmad, President of the Barzani Charity Foundation; Omed Khoshnaw, Governor of Erbil; the Mayor of Pirmam; the Director General of Education in Erbil; the Director General of Municipalities; and a number of local administrative officials, community figures, and donors.
Education: A Shared Responsibility Between the Government and BCF
During the ceremony, Omed Khoshnaw, Governor of Erbil, expressed his appreciation to all individuals and organizations contributing to the development of education and learning in the Kurdistan Region.
Highlighting the importance of the project, the Governor said that he was pleased to participate in the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the six-classroom secondary school in Haji Kalo Village. He also noted that Prime Minister His Excellency Masrour Barzani has consistently called on relevant institutions to work to improve the quality of education and learning.
The Governor further highlighted the role of donors, philanthropists, organizations, and charitable institutions, describing the Barzani Charity Foundation as an important partner of the government in humanitarian services, particularly in the education sector.
On behalf of the Erbil Governorate and the Kurdistan Regional Government, he expressed appreciation to the Barzani Charity Foundation, as well as all donors and partners contributing to the project.
Musa Ahmad: Education Is One of BCF’s Core Areas of Work
During the ceremony, Musa Ahmad, President of the Barzani Charity Foundation, thanked the donors and partners supporting the project, particularly Mr. Tahir and Mr. Shakir, for their partnership in this initiative and their support for other BCF projects and activities.
He emphasized that the Barzani Charity Foundation relies on the generosity and support of the people of Kurdistan, as well as cooperation with governmental and non-governmental institutions, in implementing its projects and initiatives in service of communities.
Musa Ahmad stressed that education has been one of the Foundation’s core areas of work since its establishment, with particular attention given to supporting and developing the sector.
He noted that, alongside basic necessities, people also need access to education and learning, which is why the Barzani Charity Foundation has implemented a range of projects and programs in the education sector.
42 Educational Projects Implemented
Musa Ahmad also highlighted the scale of the Foundation’s educational activities across the Kurdistan Region.
According to the figures presented during the ceremony:
2,023 educational activities have been carried out across the Kurdistan Region.
42 educational projects have been implemented.
The total expenditure on these projects and activities has reached IQD 19,099,747,000.
A total of 486,680 people have benefited from these projects and activities.
Of the total expenditure, IQD 14,325,000,000 was provided by organizations and partners from outside the Kurdistan Region.
These figures reflect the continued role of the Barzani Charity Foundation in supporting education, while highlighting the important contribution of donors and partners to the implementation and continuation of these initiatives.
A Project Benefiting 12 Villages
The Haji Kalo school project will serve not only the village itself but also 12 villages in the surrounding area once completed, providing students from across the area with improved access to educational services.
The laying of the foundation stone therefore marks not only the beginning of a new educational project but also a new opportunity for students and families in the area, supporting their aspirations for a more suitable learning environment and a better educational future.
A Humanitarian Partnership for the Future of Education
The construction of the Haji Kalo Secondary School represents cooperation between government institutions, the Barzani Charity Foundation, and generous donors. This partnership aims to provide a better environment for education and learning while coordinating efforts to serve students in the area.
With the laying of the foundation stone, students and their families are entering a new stage of hope for improved educational opportunities, one built on cooperation, generosity, and collective efforts to support education.
Students Look Forward to Their New School
The construction of the school is an important step toward improving the learning environment and strengthening educational infrastructure for students in Haji Kalo and the surrounding villages.
Local students expressed their excitement and anticipation for the completion of the project and the opportunity to begin their studies at the new school.
Yousif Shamsaddin, Lia Kanaan, and Sumaya Mohsin, ninth-grade students, expressed their happiness that the school is expected to be completed within one year, meaning they will no longer need to travel far from their communities to continue their education.
The students warmly welcomed the implementation of the project and expressed their appreciation to the Barzani Charity Foundation, while also praising the Foundation’s partners and donors for their generous support in making the construction of the school possible.
Project Details
Location: Haji Kalo Village, Bastora Subdistrict, Pirmam District
School Type: Six-classroom secondary school
Land Area: 1,000 square meters
Estimated Cost: Approximately IQD 310 million
Beneficiaries: Students from 12 surrounding villages
Expected Completion: Within one year
