ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has officially launched the Fourth Kurdistan Education Forum (KEF 2026), placing digital innovation, educational quality, and workforce readiness at the heart of its long-term strategy to modernize the region's education system.

Held under the theme "Modern Education: Skills and Quality," the two-day forum has brought together government officials, university leaders, international organizations, education specialists, and policy experts to explore how technological innovation and institutional reform can improve learning outcomes across the Kurdistan Region.

The opening session featured the official launch of the "My School" (Qutabxanekem) Interactive Learning Platform, a flagship digital initiative introduced by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani as part of the KRG's broader education reform agenda. The platform represents one of the government's most ambitious efforts to integrate digital learning into public schools and expand students' access to modern educational resources.

Minister of Education Alan Hama Saeed announced that the platform has been fully prepared for primary education and will be available at the beginning of the upcoming academic year. He added that work is continuing on content for grades 10, 11, and 12, with plans to extend the platform's services to secondary education as implementation progresses.

The Ministry of Education described the initiative as a cornerstone of its modernization strategy, designed to enhance classroom instruction through technology while equipping students with the digital competencies needed in an increasingly knowledge-based economy.

Beyond the unveiling of the new platform, the forum serves as a key venue for discussing the future of education policy in the Kurdistan Region. Participants are examining ways to strengthen teaching quality, promote innovation in learning, and build educational institutions capable of preparing students for rapidly changing social and economic realities.

The event has attracted broad participation from international organizations, regional universities, and research institutions. According to the Ministry of Education, experts from UNICEF, UNESCO, King's College London, and leading universities across the Kurdistan Region are contributing international expertise to support the development of resilient, high-quality, and globally aligned education policies.

Sustainability has also emerged as a major theme of this year's forum. One panel focuses on integrating environmental awareness into school education, while Syrian Minister of Education Dr. Mohammed Abdulrahman Turko is sharing insights into educational quality and the challenges facing schools in Syria, providing participants with an opportunity to compare regional experiences and reform priorities.

Innovation remains another central focus of KEF 2026. Specialists from the Kurdistan Innovation Institute are presenting approaches to institutional transformation, highlighting how advances in teaching methods, educational leadership, and digital technologies can reshape learning environments.

The forum's concluding sessions will address accreditation, quality assurance, vocational education, and strategies for strengthening links between education and labor market demands. International experts, including participants from the United Arab Emirates, are expected to share experiences that could help guide future educational reforms in the Kurdistan Region.

According to the Ministry of Education, KEF 2026 represents more than an annual gathering of educators. The forum reflects the KRG's broader vision of building a modern education system that combines digital transformation with higher academic standards, stronger international partnerships, and practical skills that prepare students for the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.