EDUCATION IN IRAQ By David Gring

EDUCATION PRIOR TO WAR  Prior to the mid-1980s, education in Iraq was considered of the best in the Middle East and North Africa.  The Iraqi education system has been one of the country’s most dynamic sectors over the past three decades.  impressive gains earned Iraq a UNESCO Literacy Award in  Iran-Iraq war and the first Gulf War in 1991 caused setbacks to include years of economic sanctions. As a result, one in five Iraqis over the age of 15 is currently illiterate.

OPERATION: IRAQI FREEDOM  As a result of U.S. Invasion and occupation of Iraq, today Iraq is more illiterate than it was twenty-five years ago.  Iraqi schools and universities were bombed and destroyed.  Many schools were looted and vandalized in the days leading up to the predicted Invasion.  The US forces, the Iraqi Army and Iraqi police units occupied school buildings for military purposes.

INTIMIDATION BY INSURGENTS  In 2005, 296 members of education staff were killed.  An estimated 331 schoolteachers were slain in the first four months of 2006, according to Human Rights Watch and 180 teachers were killed between February and November 2006, according to the Brookings Institute in Washington.  467 Iraqi professors and lecturers have been assassinated since 2003, according to the Brussells Tribunal database.  According to the UN office for humanitarian affairs, up to 100 teachers have been kidnapped and over 3,250 have fled the country.

U.S. AND IRAQI EFFORTS TO IMPROVE EDUCATION CONDITIONS  There is currently an insufficient supply of schools, and most schools suffer from poor conditions.  About 70% of schools lack clean water and latrines.  Almost 1000 schools are built from mud, straw, or tents.  The on-going security conflict has caused students to drop out of school due to imminent danger.  Funding for education is used for other government projects instead of technology for students.

EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN  Education is free up until the age of 12. However, because of poor conditions throughout the country, many do not benefit from it.  Children with disabilities and displaced children do not have access to education.  Poverty and malnutrition affect the ability for many children to attend class. (It is estimated that about 3.5 million children are affected by poverty.)  Some children enter the work force instead of going to school. (Depending on the area and the child labor there.)  Materials for school, such as books and paper, can be scarce or non-existant.

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE…  UNESCO, the Government of Iraq and the Office of Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser organized an event in Baghdad to officially announce the start of the implementation of the “Educate A Child” initiative, a new endeavor which brings new hope for 180,000 out-of-school children in Iraq.  In a first stage, the "Educate a Child" initiative will target 30,000 children in the four governorates of Baghdad, Basra, Ninewa, and Erbil, with the aim to increase school enrollment, particularly for girls and in rural areas. In a second stage, this program will extend to more than 180,000 children in 12 governorates, a key step towards achieving “Education for All” in Iraq.  Small towns in northwestern Al Anbar province are also assisting with education for large numbers of displace Syrians due to the on going war.

SOURCES  globserver.cn/en/ iraq / education  iraq _ statistics iraq _ statistics  › Middle East › IraqMiddle East Iraq  data.worldbank.org › Countries and EconomiesCountries and Economies  countrystudies.us/ iraq  education.einnews.com/country/ iraq  EDUCATION IN IRAQ BYWARAN DOCCUPATIO1.pdf