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More than 780 students enrolled in 21 classes in a program |
| By Greg Casaretto Gulf Region North U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
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SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq, Nov. 4, 2005 — Under the previous Iraqi regime, the school system forced Kurdish people to attend institutes of learning where Arabic was the only language used in class. Many Kurdish children never learned to read and write in their language and typically, they were not successful students because Arabic schools did not offer Arabic as a second language. Consequently, the illiteracy rate among the Kurdish army population runs high.
A recently introduced program addresses the problem of illiteracy. As of early September, the Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq is funding a literacy program for the Peshmerga Transition Office. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region North provides contract administration for the program; Anna Khanakan, of the Peshmerga Transition Office, oversees it. The main purpose of the literacy program is to increase literacy among the soldiers of the Iraqi Army, making it a more educated and effective force. Classes are underway in the Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, area located in Fermandaye and Sarchia. Instructors also offer |
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five classes in Bazyan and eight in Ranya. In all, there are more than 780 students enrolled in 21 classes. Editor's note: Greg Casaretto is a construction representative for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region North. |
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