Midterm Review of Education Sector 22 – 23 June 2009, Baghdad

Partnerships and Coordination Supporting the terminal exams in grades 6,9&12 Supply of school bags UN Agencies UNICEF, UNESCO, UN-HABITAT, WHO, UNIFEM, ESCWA, UNAMI/HRO, WFP, UNOPS, ILO, UNFPA, OCHA, IOM NGOs (International/national) PIN, JEN, TDH Italy, Islamic Relief, Relief International, EMDH, ACTED, NCA, NCCI, IRD, Mercy Hands, IOCC, IMC, Mercy Corps, Intersos, IRC, ICMC, PU Chaired by UNICEF Line Ministries Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education

Young people receive vocational training at the juveniles centre in Erbil in 2008 A girl attends (ALP) Accelerated Learning Programme class in Wassit Rehabilitation of school infrastructure

UN Assistance Strategy National priority or goals (NDS ) Target 4:Completing all curricula in primary and secondary education levels for all girls and boys Target 5:Waiving off gender discrimination in all educational levels To contribute to the achievement of the goals defined in the National Development Strategy (NDS), International Compact with Iraq (ICI) benchmarks, and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Education Sector

UN Assistance Strategy (cont.) ICI Targets Target 1: Reduce illiteracy by 50% Target 2: Achieve basic universal education Millennium Development Goals MDG 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education; Target 2A – Ensure that by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary school. MDG 3: Promote gender equality and empower women Target 3A - Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education preferably by 2005, and at all levels by 2015.

ICI Targets Development of National Education Strategy Partnership among World Bank, UNESCO and UNICEF to support the MoE and the MoHE in the development of a National Education Strategy. Common vision and mission for both education and higher education in Iraq as well as an implementation plan for capacity development. Sectoral Achievements and Contributions

2.Enhanced access to schools More than 66,750 school children (53% girls) are attending 133 rehabilitated child friendly schools with facilities and improved environments including connection to water supply, the installation of water tanks and establishment of separate toilets for girls. 251 schools with improved water and sanitation facilities. Reduced over-crowded classrooms and increased access for more than 12,000 school children with 300 newly constructed classrooms. 165 science laboratories established and 58 libraries for e- learning activities as part of an innovative learning initiative. Sectoral Achievements and Contributions (cont.)

3.Non-formal learning opportunities for out of school children and illiterate young people More than 37,000 students enrolled in the Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP) – a compressed primary education program designed for out of school children. At least 300 literacy students enrolled in five Community Learning Centres (CLCs). 350 out-of-school unemployed young people trained on different construction trades. Sectoral Achievements and Contributions (cont.)

4.Improved technical and educational capacities of Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education, and students: 3,430 ministry staff members are better able to plan, manage, and implement educational programmes. 1,475 trained teachers to promote school health and hygiene. 123 higher education students/teachers exposed to external training in new teaching methods, subject updating, curriculum review, training package development and field visits for a few members in the Foundation of Technical Education (FTE) 12 university professors went on fellowships to Italy and Germany in Peacekeeping Management and in their related fields of expertise. Sectoral Achievements and Contributions (cont.)

5.Increased access of students to primary and secondary schools textbooks & educational programmes A newly created website to access Iraqi primary and secondary school textbooks ( An educational TV channel has been established in Baghdad where teaching and educational programmes are being broadcasted together with TV spots promoting human rights, democracy, gender equality, health and other life skills. 6.Humanitarian education interventions for IDPs and refugees Over 105,252 students directly benefited from humanitarian education activities in 266 schools in target vulnerable areas inclusive IDPs and refugee settings. 178 classrooms rehabilitated or newly constructed to increase access and reduce overcrowded schools. Sectoral Achievements and Contributions (cont.)

7. Provision of education materials and aids 2,450 Early Childhood Development (ECD) kits were distributed to ECD centres, kindergartens and early primary school grades 100,100 school children (Girls 43%; Boys 57%) received basic learning materials 2,400 teachers received teaching materials 6,535 screened students received visual / hearing aids 5 ICT Teacher Training Centers & 1 ICT Development Centre were provided with e-learning materials Fifth grader sits in her newly refurbished classroom and receive school kit - Baghdad Sectoral Achievements and Contributions (cont.)

1.UN coordinated efforts in planning and implementation of education programme is proven vital. 2.Regular and updated education data is crucial to ensure evidence based strategic planning and to address gaps of education interventions. 3.Strengthening educational planning, policy and strategy for long term education planning and management are critical components. 4.Excessive centralized decision-making and lack of autonomous institutions, lack of highly qualified teaching personnel, outdated programmes and curricula, lack of mechanisms for quality assurance and an inadequate environment for research and development are serious constraints faced by higher education. 5.Strengthening school communities, enhancing parents’ engagement in school management & affairs and ensuring community participation are critical factors to the development of a decentralized school system. Lessons Learned

1.Remote operation from Amman is still an obstacle towards achieving a balance between implementation, proper monitoring security risks and visibility. 2.Delays in implementing some of the projects were attributed to the increase of market prices and rates for the rehabilitation and construction cost. Key Challenges A young girl plays with ECD kit at a kindergarten Erbil 2008 Supply of learning materials

Continue UN coherence in programme planning and implementation. Various planning processes within the government and UN to be more integrated. Ensure the National Education Strategy to inform the education component of the National Development Plan Revision of the Education Sector’s results matrix to focus on: 1. Access to quality education 2. Strengthened institutional & human capacity of the Education Sector to deliver quality education at all levels Key Challenges