Iraq's schools lack basics after neglect, war-UN

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L15525943.htm

GENEVA, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Student enrolment has surged in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein last year, but schools still lack basics such as desks, toilets and even classrooms, the United Nations said on Friday.

More than 700 primary schools were damaged by bombing during the U.S.-led invasion, according to a national survey carried out by the Education Ministry with the help of the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF). As many as 3,000 were looted.

Insecurity in Baghdad and other flashpoints has slowed work to rehabilitate a school system neglected during years of wars and sanctions, UNICEF said in a statement.

Iraqi authorities and the U.N. agency have conducted a house-to-house campaign to encourage families to enrol children, but this did not necessarily lead to regular attendance given security fears and shortages.

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[skylarmae]

1. where's all the billions to rebuild - just sitting over there doing nothing

while we pay the interest on the tab. These people have the money to implement these programs but not the brains to get the job done. Meanwhile everything gets worse and the children get bored or waste precious time when more progressive methods of teaching could speed up the general educational levels there, which could only help all the way round.