Baghdad: The Ministry of Labor has announced a significant policy change that exempts students with disabilities from the mandatory waiting period required to apply for external examinations. This decision aims to facilitate smoother educational progression for these students.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Dhikra Abdul Rahim, head of the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, commended the Ministry of Education for responding to the commission’s proposal. The newly implemented measure allows students with disabilities to proceed to the next academic year’s final examinations without the usual waiting period, promoting equitable educational opportunities.

The announcement was made during an electronic meeting of the Board of Directors of the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs. The meeting included Dhikra Abdul Rahim, Vice President of the Board Issam Abdul Latif Al-Tamimi, board members, ministry representatives, and representatives of persons with disabilities.

The meeting also addressed various legal issues, highlighting the necessity of coordinated government efforts to uphold and enforce legislation protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. The discussions emphasized maintaining the independence of the Authority’s legal powers, as outlined in the Authority’s Law No. (38) of 2013, amended by Law No. (11) of 2024.

Further directives were issued to review the medical records of beneficiaries whose salaries were suspended, with a view to reinstating them once financial allocations are available. The discussion also covered financial coordination with the Ministry of Finance, budgetary issues, increasing the salary for full-time caregivers, new inclusion procedures, and the issuance of Mastercard cards.