Private Schools in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq : an Evidence Based Approach on their Functions

Abstract

This book addresses the development and the functions of private schools in the Kur-distan Region of Iraq. A region that witnessed a huge change in the education system after its establishment in 1992 alongside with the rise of private schools numbers. Pri-vate school choice and profiles of private education providers are discussed based on empirical data. The data consist of using document analysis of 10 private education providers’ websites to describe the profiles of private education providers as well as a questionnaire (n=223) conducted with parents to find out the most important factors influencing the choice of private schools. The study shows that private schools in Kurdistan Region of Iraq connect students to the globalized world through using English as the medium of instruction which is con-sidered the most important factor that parents consider in choosing private schools. The choice of private schools can be seen as a reflect for a globalized movement towards the privatization of education.