Turkish aid agency distributes stationery in Iraq

By Fatih Hafız Mehmet

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's state-run aid agency has distributed 2,000 school bags and stationery supplies in Iraq's Saladin governorate, it said on Wednesday.

According to a statement by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the aid was sent to 30 schools in Tuz Khurmatu district, home to many Turkmen students. These schools also teach Turkmen language.

Speaking at the distribution ceremony, Cuneyt Esmer, the Baghdad program coordinator for the agency, said aid to the education sector was a priority for TIKA.

Hashim Muhtaroglu, provincial chairman of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, said the community needed more schools in Iraq with Turkmen language as a medium of instruction.