BAGHDAD — Themes of hope dominate school openings and ribbon cutting events throughout Iraq. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Gulf Region Division has overseen the renovation or new construction of nearly 1,100 schools, with another 38 projects ongoing.
“This ancient civilization of Mesopotamia between the two rivers taught the world how to read and how to write,” said Ahmed Rubayee, director general of Baghdad’s Rusafa secondary education department at Al Neel School, which opened in July. “That is what we are doing here today; establishing a school - and to once again be civilized and concentrate on teaching our children to read and write.”
With the same theme of hope in a stable civilization for education, a new wing of six classrooms for Al Abrar primary school, south of Baghdad, opened for students Oct. 15. Located in the Mahmoudiyah Qada district, this $496,000 project adds much needed classroom space and facilities for this rural area.
“The ribbon cutting for this school not only signals the completion of a building, it signals one small addition of hope for the Iraqi people,” said Col. Ron Light, Gulf Region Central district commander. “While we are here to celebrate the completion of a school, more importantly, you can see the faces of hope on the children. You see the joy of being at a decent school, and that is exciting.”
Typical of Iraqi school construction for both elementary and secondary, the two-story masonry buildings at Al Neel contain 12 classrooms, an administration section, a workshop, and bathroom facilities in a 3,500 square meter walled compound. A mirror image is near completion in Husseiniyah, as Imam Al Sadiq Elementary will open later in November. Clearly the newest building in a rubble-strewn area north of Baghdad, Al Sadiq is remarkable for the contrast to its surroundings.
According to Director General Rubayee, there are 100 more schools being built in the Rusafa area alone. He says Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has announced plans for 4,000 more schools in the very near future.
“Thank you for your patriotism and the support to Iraq in this critical time,” Rubayee said to the USACE staff at the July opening. “We are all doing this for the children, for the future of Iraq.”
(By Kendal Smith, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)