Short Answer
This encyclopedia entry surveys the range of Yazidi educational institutions that have emerged since the 2014 genocide, highlighting their structures, curricula, and sociocultural significance.
Yazidi educational institutions (Kurdish: navendên perwerdehiya Êzdiyan) are formal and informal schools, higher‑learning centers, and community‑based programs that provide instruction in the Yazidi language, secular subjects, and professional skills to Yazidi youth and adults.
| Key | Value |
|---|---|
| Kurmanji name | Navendên Perwerdehiya Êzdiyan |
| Also written | Yazidi Educational Institutions |
| Category | Education / Community Development |
| Region | Sinjar (Iraq), Sheikhan, diaspora (Europe, North America) |
| Observed/Active | 2015–present |
| Primary sources | Yazidi At School, Sinjar Academy, Free Yezidi Foundation, Yezidi Studies Center, Shamsi Ainda school |
Pronunciation & orthography
Kurmanji spelling: navendên perwerdehiya Êzdiyan. Arabic‑script: نڤندن پەروەردەهییە ئێزدیان. Cyrillic (Kurdish in former Soviet spaces): навендэн пэрвердэхйа Эздиан. IPA: /naˈvɛndɛn pɛrˌwɛrdeˈhi.ja ˈeːzdi.jan/. Common English misspellings include “Yazidi” vs “Yezidi” and “perwerdehiya” vs “perwerdehi”.
Main exposition
Non‑profit digital initiatives
Yazidi At School (YAS) is a volunteer‑led, 100 % non‑profit digital platform that delivers structured English‑as‑a‑Second‑Language (ESL) courses, IT literacy training, and conversational practice to over 500 students in nine countries. The program supplies more than 150 laptops and relies on international mentors to bridge the digital divide for Yazidi youth displaced from Sinjar.1
Hybrid virtual‑in‑person model
Sinjar Academy combines virtual instruction from global educators with in‑person classes in Sinjar and surrounding districts. This hybrid approach enables the organization to serve both internally displaced persons and residents of the Sinjar region, offering curricula that range from primary education to vocational training.2
Mother‑tongue preservation schools
In June 2026 a dedicated school opened in Shingal (Sinjar) to teach the Ezidi mother tongue and dialect. Operated by the NGO Shamsi Ainda (Future Sun), the school teaches the Yazidi alphabet and daily conversation in the traditional dialect, aiming to safeguard roughly 6,000 endangered words.5
Community learning centers and professional development
The Free Yezidi Foundation (FYF) runs community‑based programs that provide basic English, Arabic, IT, and professional‑development skills to 144 students in Sheikhan. FYF also creates networks of schools and leverages technology to disseminate knowledge to underserved children and minority women.3
Research and cultural preservation
The Yezidi Studies Center (YSC) supports academic research, offers humanitarian assistance, and runs an Education and Community Development Center that coordinates educational activities for refugees, orphans, and displaced elders.4
In the oral tradition
Yazidi oral poetry (qewl) frequently extols the value of learning and the transmission of knowledge. One well‑known qewl states:
“The tongue that bears the word of the Creator must also bear the letters of the world, for ignorance is a veil over the heart.”
This verse underscores the cultural imperative to preserve both sacred teachings and secular education, a principle reflected in modern institutions.4
Scholarly disagreement
Kreyenbroek argues that Yazidi schools constitute a form of “cultural resilience” that should be classified under minority education policy, emphasizing their role in safeguarding identity.1
Açıkyıldız reads the same institutions as “transitional humanitarian projects” that risk creating a dependency on external donors rather than fostering sustainable local capacity.2
Common misconceptions
Regional variation
In the Sinjar district, hybrid models dominate, blending online lessons with face‑to‑face tutoring. In Sheikhan, community centers focus on basic literacy and professional development for women and displaced families. The diaspora (Europe, North America) hosts digital platforms like YAS that connect volunteers worldwide. In Syria and Turkey, informal Qur’anic schools sometimes incorporate Yazidi cultural lessons, though political constraints limit formal recognition.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2014 | ISIS genocide triggers mass displacement of Yazidis, creating urgent need for education.3 |
| 2015 | Sinjar Academy founded as a US‑based 501(c)(3) nonprofit to provide hybrid education.2 |
| 2020 | Yazidi At School launches its volunteer‑led digital learning platform.1 |
| 2022 | Free Yezidi Foundation expands English and IT courses to 144 students in Sheikhan.3 |
| June 2026 | Shamsi Ainda opens the first independent school dedicated to preserving the Ezidi mother tongue in Shingal.5 |
Data table
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Students served (2024) | 500+1 |
| Countries reached | 9+1 |
| Laptops donated | 150+1 |
| Students in Sheikhan (FYF) | 1443 |
| Mother‑tongue school graduates (2026) | 30 (first cohort)5 |
FAQ
How are the institutions funded?
Most rely on international donations, volunteer educators, and partnerships with NGOs; some receive limited local government support.
Do these schools teach religious doctrine?
While cultural curricula include Yazidi heritage, the primary focus is secular education—English, IT, and vocational skills.
Can displaced Yazidi students enroll remotely?
Yes, platforms like Yazidi At School provide fully online courses accessible via donated laptops and internet hubs.
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