 |
 |
|||||||||
|
|
Schools Projects Iraq’s schools have been particularly hard hit by the devastation wreaked over the last few decades. During the 1960s and 1970s, Iraq had one of the best education systems in the Arab world. Today, school buildings are in poor condition, basic equipment is deficient and teachers lack motivation and training. Enrolment and attendance, especially for girls, has declined greatly.
Adopt a School Years of neglect, sanctions, war and violence have had a severe impact on the state of Iraqi schools. By working with individual schools, this project aims to improve the educational environment of Iraqi children guiding them towards a better future. The Kubba Foundation has developed a programme that will lay the foundation for developing a supportive and nurturing environment for a new generation of Iraqis. The Adopt A School project was launched in early 2005 after receiving official clearance from the Iraqi Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health in Autumn 2004. The project involves assessing the short-term and long-term requirements of a particular school in an underprivileged area and meeting those requirements – essentially ‘adopting’ the school. By identifying specific needs and administering resources tailored to their requirements, we effect long-term change in the educational environment.
The first school adopted under the project was a primary school in Baghdad with 900 pupils (name withheld intentionally). After a detailed audit and assessment conducted jointly by KF Iraq and school officials, 18 classrooms were fully kitted out with blackboards, teachers’ desks and work-stations while shattered windows throughout the school were replaced.
Before: School windows in poor condition –
After: School windows fully repaired and net screens installed. The headmistress identified the health risk caused by children drinking unclean water from Jerry cans, contributing to infections and bowel disease. To tackle this issue, a water fountain was installed providing a safe water supply for all children. The school received new computers, DVD players, educational aids and a complete computer training provision for teaching staff. New uniforms were purchased for all 900 pupils and school prizes procured for high achievers. Essential building repairs made the school a much safer teaching environment while Iraq’s first School Health Screening Programme was launched: a medical clinic run by a consultant ophthalmologist to assess the pupils’ vision and hearing. An audiometer has been procured to facilitate further medical assessments.
Safe drinking water – a first for the school Despite the perilous security situation, the Adopt a School project continued unabated. The results of our efforts exceeded our expectations and the project was commended by the Iraqi Ministry of Education. Following our success with the first school, two further Baghdad based primary schools, with 517 and 858 pupils respectively, were selected for “adoption”. We instituted a full programme of rehabilitation, incentives, teaching aids, health and safety and health screening for each school. Numerous computers were purchased and installed along with blackboards, tables, chairs and drinking fountains. Emergency Supplies
For example, in association with Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) (LINK), KF Iraq was able to provide over 400 primary school children in three disadvantaged schools in the Karrada District of Baghdad with schoolbags filled with stationery, books and writing materials. The students, who were struggling at the start of the school year came from two primary, co-educational schools and one girls primary school. Hundreds of footballs were also distributed to the children under the supervision of KF Iraq members and the Karrada Municipal Council. The bag distribution was the result of generous private donations from the United Arab Emirates, and the shipment was delivered safely to Baghdad in November 2003 by MSF.
|
|||||||||
| KF IRAQ 2010 | ||||||||||
 |
|
|
|
|
||||||
