10 years after the destructive US invasion, Iraq’s Education infrastructure has yet to recover. A recent UNESCO report reveals that a mere nine per cent of Iraqi adults have finished secondary school. The report lists extensive challenges still facing the country’s educational system: low enrollment, a lack of usable facilities, and a growing illiteracy rate.
Iraq’s education infrastructure was badly damaged during the years of the US occupation. Between 2003 and 2008, Iraq saw 31,598 attacks against educational institutions, and an estimated 259 academics assassinated, according to the Ministry of Education. Between 2005 and 2007, over four hundred university students were killed, as well as a reported 340 professors. Even more academics were forced to flee the country during and after the invasion. Primary School enrollments have yet to reach their pre-war levels.
The report’s proposed solutions include a new literacy initiative, public sector modernization, and a new focus on vocational schools and training to meet the needs of Iraq’s developing economy.
The need to rebuild Iraq’s infrastructure comes at a critical time for the country. Reports of corruption are widespread. The United States alone has given over $60 billion in aid to Iraq, and there are claims that some $8 billion has gone to waste. The World Bank also threatened to cut off funding to Iraq for failure to put aid dollars to use.
Creative Commons Love: US Army via Flickr.com
Written by Alex Leedom