Highlighting the Successes of the Assyrian-Language Students

The Assyrian Aid Society supports the Assyrian public school system in Iraq while also preserving the ancient but endangered  Assyrian language (also known as Syriac)  along with culture. The successful alumni of these schools reinvest back into the Assyrian community, keeping them vibrant and distinct. Alumni exceed academic success and embody the mission of cultural preservation. Languages are vehicles of indigenous cultures, collective memory and values. They are an essential component of our identities, and building blocks of our diversity and living heritage. In the face of persecution and assimilation efforts by indigenous communities to preserve languages are critical defenses against the erosion of their cultural identity.

The main objective of the non-profit, non-governmental Assyrian Aid Society is to support and provide humanitarian relief to Assyrian communities across the globe. In response to the humanitarian crises that Assyrians were experiencing as a result of regional conflicts and relocation, the organization was established in Iraq in 1991. AAS was founded with the goals of supporting Assyrian communities' attempts to preserve their culture, advance educational programs, and offer humanitarian aid. The organization seeks to reduce the distress of Assyrians who are displaced, persecuted, and face economic and social challenges.

Giving food, shelter, medical attention, and other necessities to Assyrians and other vulnerable groups impacted by crises like war, persecution, and natural catastrophes comprises a major portion of the work done by AAS. To have the most impact possible, they frequently work with other governmental bodies and humanitarian organizations.

This is an important mission because the cultural heritage of minorities in Iraq, especially the indigenous Assyrians, have been under threat and the only way to guarantee the continuity of these traditions is through intentional preservation.

Education in the Assyrian language has empowered students, furhtering pride and confidence in their heritage and identity. This sense of pride reflects in test results, with Assyrian-language schools boasting a 98% graduation rate and sending over 40% of students to the nation's most prestigious universities (AAS Data). This achievement is particularly notable given the lack of funding assistance from the central government, which typically discourages minority language education. With more funding, these schools will be able to accommodate more students and in turn, produce more students who go on to attend top universities and can in turn, uplift and empower their own communities.

• Assyrian schools face funding challenges due to government underfunding of Assyrian-language instruction.
• Despite funding constraints, Assyrian schools demonstrate continued exceptional academic success and college acceptance rates.
• Engineering and Law & Politics are standout majors among Assyrian students, indicating high potential for impactful contributions to society.
• Large educational disparities exist between wealth strata in Iraq, affecting access to schooling and literacy rates.
• Assyrian schools serve as vital community institutions, nurturing cultural preservation and academic excellence.

The  Assyrian schooling system  faces a number of challenges in day to day operations. The schools are public, but instruct in Assyrian instead of Arabic or Kurdish. Regional and national governments do not fund Assyrian-speaking lecturers for the schools. The schools must find their own resources to pay for Assyrian-speaking instructors, leaving the schools with limited monetary resources to investing in newer technology for the students, school upkeeps, and marketing to attract new students as well as donors.

The Assyrian Aid Society has partnered with these schools in order to assist them in their efforts to raise money in order to continue the preservation of the Assyrian culture. Using a unique data set from these schools for the years 2005-2023 in order to demonstrate the efficacy of the schools despite their challenges, this data is targeted towards potential donors as well as alumni to continue to invest in the local community and preserve the local culture that remains under attack.

To better see the graphics in the slideshow below, please click on them to enlarge them.

This prompts us to delve into the reasons behind the remarkable success of Assyrian schools despite the daunting challenges they face. Through discussions with accomplished alumni, it becomes evident that these schools serve as more than just educational institutions—they are safe havens for the community, fostering a sense of belonging and providing a conducive environment for focused learning. Moreover, the profound significance of these schools to students who actively strive to preserve their heritage serves as a driving force, inspiring them to pursue excellence not only for themselves but also for their communities.

This culture of excellence within the Assyrian school system sets it apart, creating a unique educational environment that prioritizes both academic achievement and cultural preservation. Moving forward, the key question arises: How can these schools expand while upholding their educational standards, and how can their impact be amplified by shining a spotlight on their invaluable contributions to both education and cultural heritage preservation?

In large part due to the assistance of the Assyrian Aid Society, the Assyrian language public schools have been very successful for both students and the Assyrian community at large, and still have lots of room for improvement. Through investment into their community, Assyrian students will excel further, safeguarding their heritage while advancing a sense of empowerment and solidarity within the community.

Successful alumni attribute the schools' success to their role as a safe and supportive community environment that enriches focused learning. Additionally, students value the schools as crucial in preserving their heritage, motivating them to excel academically. Teaching minority languages like  Assyrian , an indigenous but endangered language in Iraq offers benefits beyond linguistic proficiency. It serves as a tool for cultural preservation, enriching society's cultural fabric and promoting social cohesion. From a cognitive standpoint, bilingualism enhances problem-solving skills and creativity. Moreover, proficiency in minority languages creates economic opportunities and strengthens global competitiveness. Most importantly however, these schools provide opportunities for Assyrian-speaking students that may not have been possible elsewhere.

Below is a video where an Assyrian student graduate who highlights her success after receiving an education in her Assyrian community.

• The Assyrian community has faced discrimination from the Iraqi government, including identity suppression, leading to challenges in preserving their cultural identity.
• Despite these obstacles, Assyrian schools prioritize cultural heritage preservation and provide quality education in Assyrian, consistently achieving academic excellence and sending students to top universities.

Iraq was once renowned for its education system, considered among the best in the region and funded by oil revenue that facilitated the country's modernization. By the 1970s, education became compulsory and freely accessible  at all levels.  Although private schools were nationalized, Law 251 issued in 1972, in theory, allowed Assyrians to teach their language in public schools where they had a majority. It would take until 1992 for Assyrians to actually teach in their language in the newly formed Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

In 1992, The Assyrian Education Committee was formed as part of the Ministry of Education with aim of preparing public school curricula and training teachers. The Assyrian Aid Society continues to be their main financer.

After decades of war and economic sanctions, several regions in Iraq have seen a significant decline in school enrollment, particularly among girls, and a substantial portion of schools are damaged in need of repair.

Assyrian public schools preserve the Assyrian cultural heritage while providing a quality education in the students native language. The schools consistently outperform schools all over the country, routinely sending students to top universities.

• Teaching minority languages such as Assyrian in Iraq promotes cultural preservation, enriches society's cultural fabric, and cultivating greater understanding and appreciation for different languages and cultures.
• Embracing linguistic diversity contributes to social cohesion, recognizing and valuing diversity within communities, and promoting inclusivity and a sense of belonging.
• Preserving cultural heritage through education safeguards traditions and ensures survival for future generations, fostering a strong collective among individuals in the culture.
• Multilingual education enhances cognitive development, including improved memory retention and critical thinking skills, while promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.

Teaching  endangered  minority languages like Assyrian in multicultural countries has multifaceted benefits beyond mere linguistic skills. Language acts as a vital tool for preserving cultural heritage, ensuring the continuity of minority communities for future generations. Language is often the backbone of an independent nation, and when the nation loses its distinct language, it can lose its sense of identity and assimilate into the greater population. Moreover, promoting linguistic diversity enriches society's cultural fabric, encouraging deeper understanding and appreciation for various languages and cultures.

Embracing minority languages also strengthens social cohesion by valuing diversity, promoting inclusivity, and promoting a sense of belonging within communities. Integrating cultural heritage into education nurtures social understanding, empathy, and acceptance among individuals, increasing connections and encouraging a sense of community. Multilingual education further boosts cultural integration by exposing students to diverse linguistic traditions, preparing them to navigate a globally interconnected world with empathy and understanding. 

In the United States, Native American communities grapple with profound challenges, including health disparities, substance abuse, and poverty, stemming from the  erosion of their cultural heritage.  The United States faces a crisis as 193 out of 197 indigenous languages are teetering on the brink of extinction, with many spoken only by elderly individuals. The Native American Languages Act stands as a critical lifeline, offering vital support to the Administration for Native Americans to preserve these languages through  revitalization efforts .

Take, for instance, the Caddo people, for whom language represents not just a means of communication, but a repository of their history, spirituality, and folklore—the very essence of their identity. Through dedicated endeavors to pass on their ancestral tongue to younger generations, such as the ongoing revitalization initiatives for Caddo, significant progress has been achieved in safeguarding cultural heritage. The unwavering enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated by community members toward these endeavors underscore their profound significance in nurturing and perpetuating indigenous cultures for the prosperity of future generations.

Ultimately, AAS's mission of preserving Assyrian cultural heritage through education is akin to tending a flame passed down through generations, ensuring the continued vitality of the Assyrian community.

The path to ensuring a brighter future for Assyrian-language schools hinges on collective support from donors and alumni invested in preserving Assyrian heritage and promoting educational excellence. By rallying together, positive change can be created that goes beyond academic achievement.

With enhanced funding, Assyrian-language schools can modernize their infrastructure, integrate cutting-edge technology, and attract qualified lecturers. This infusion of resources will not only elevate the quality of education but also create an environment conducive to learning and personal growth.

Increased support will enable these schools to expand their reach, thereby accommodating more students and stimulating a sense of pride and belonging within the Assyrian community. As graduation rates rise and academic achievements accumulate, Assyrian-language students will emerge as empowered individuals equipped with the skills and knowledge to navigate the challenges of the modern world.

Furthermore, investing in Assyrian-language education is not just an investment in academics; it's an investment in cultural preservation and identity. By nurturing Assyrian heritage through education, the aim is to uplift the Assyrian community. This, in turn, advances a positive self-identity among Assyrian-language students, empowering them to embrace their cultural heritage with confidence and resilience.

By coming together to support Assyrian-language schools, the path for a brighter future is possible: one where educational opportunities thrive, cultural heritage is celebrated, and the Assyrian identity flourishes. Through collective efforts, Assyrian-language students will not only receive a better education but also emerge as leaders of their rich cultural heritage, inspiring generations to come.

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