Iraqi children prepare for school amid violence -- and corruption

[Barrett808]

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Some five million Iraqi children are preparing to head back to classes this weekend, with parents fearful over growing insecurity and officials concerned also about corruption in schools.

The indiscriminate nature of the violence rocking Iraq was underlined on Thursday moments after Education Minister Sami al-Muzaffar announced the October 2 starting date of the new school year.

Car bombs ripped through a Baghdad ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new water pumping station and killed 34 children.

Questioned by AFP about the danger for children gathered in groups as shown by the gruesome attack, education ministry official Mohammed Hannun said: "Whatever the situation and whatever the circumstances, the children will go back to school on Saturday."

"I have five children, aged between six and 14. I wanted to send them to school, but what shall I do now?," asked Ali al-Saidi, who lives in the sprawling Baghdad slum of Sadr City, rocked by almost daily violence between US troops and Shiite militiamen.

(more)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20041001/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_unrest_schools_041001103634

[Tempest]

1. Islamic schools are taking over Iraq

There was a report on the news the other day about how Islamic fundamentalists were opening schools all over Iraq using U.S. funds.

They showed video of Iraqi students reciting verses from the Koran and on the wall were pictures of Islamic clerics, including al Sadr.