Rojda Serhat/JINHA

QAMIŞLO – In the Rojava city of Qamişlo, Kurdish language education is ongoing at the Celadet Bedîrxan Academy of Language, Literature and History. Students at the academy called learning their native language “more valuable than bread or water” and said language must be passed from one generation to the next.

In the Cizîr Canton of Rojava, the Celadet Bedîrxan Academy of Language, Literature and History opened in 2013 and continues to provide Kurdish students with education in their native language today. Graduates, meanwhile, go on to teach in official schools. Eğit Naso, one of the employees at the academy, said that they were only two people when they started.

“With the Rojava revolution, there were changes in a lot of areas. Now there’s Kurdish language education in our schools starting in the first grade and the number of teachers increases every day,” said Eğit. “This shows that the politics of repression that the regime imposed on our people were not successful. Our people have stood up for their language, their culture, their own identity.”

Student Müsat Şemal said that education in one’s native language was key for new generations.

“Native language education is very important for us; if we don’t realize this, we can’t lead the next generation,” said Müsat.

Student Mariya Biro called native languages one of the most valuable things that defines difference between people.

“Because of the conditions in the Rojava revolution, we couldn’t give the necessary importance to language education, especially. Defending our revolution took precedence,” said Mariya. “We want the language revolution to be one with our people; we want to educate our children in their native languages.

“Children’s excitement to learn their native language gives us motivation,” Mariya said. She wished a happy Mother Language Day to the Kurdish people and all peoples of the Middle East.

(mg/cm)