Firm Wins $62 Million Deal to Restore Education in Iraq

The NY Times ^ | April 14, 2003 | ELIZABETH BECKERASHINGTON

[summer]

THE NYT - A Nation at War: CONTRACTS

Firm Wins $62 Million Deal to Restore Education in Iraq

By ELIZABETH BECKERASHINGTON, April 14 — Creative Associates International Inc., a firm based in Washington, has won a $62 million contract from the United States Agency for International Development to improve primary and secondary education in Iraq.

The first goal will be to open Iraqi schools on schedule this fall, with enough equipment and supplies for all students. In the long term, the firm will retrain teachers and school officials and introduce teaching methods to "lay the foundations for democratic practice and attitudes among students, parents and teachers," according to the aid agency.

Education is considered a critical area for shaping postwar Iraqi society, with a focus on ridding the schools of the close-minded environment established during the reign of Saddam Hussein."We're very pleased to have this," said Robert Gordon, a spokesman for the company, which has worked in more than 60 countries.

Creative Associates already does education work for the aid agency in Morocco and Afghanistan, according to Mr. Gordon, who said that 90 percent of the firm's business came from the agency.The agency's Iraq program will take at least a year to complete. When the situation is considered safe in Iraq, the company will send advance teams to assess the state of the country's schools.

Nearly 25 percent of school-age children in Iraq do not attend school, and the company will be charged with ensuring that those children return to class and helping them catch up on their education. There will also be a strong push to see that girls as well as boys are able to attend school.The contract does not include school textbooks, which will be awarded in a separate contract.

This is the fourth of eight contracts to be awarded by the development agency for the reconstruction of Iraq. A $4.8 million contract to manage and repair seaports like Umm Qasr in southern Iraq was given to Stevedoring Services of America in Seattle, and a $7 million contract to help plan for emergency relief went to the International Resources Group of Washington. The Research Triangle Institute of North Carolina won a $7.9 million contract to help restore local governments in Iraq.

[summer]

Education is considered a critical area for shaping postwar Iraqi society, with a focus on ridding the schools of the close-minded environment established during the reign of Saddam Hussein.

This is so true.

I must admit I've been especially dismayed at the left's refusal to acknowledge that thanks to President GW and the troops, a brand new future awaits Iraq's children.

I wonder if any of the many gifted writers and speakers of dissent will now find the time to go over to Iraq and teach these kids. What an experience that would be, as teachers might really learn something special from these students.

[COURAGE]

"They think we are retarded - they are retarded."

[summer]

Correcton:

By ELIZABETH BECKERASHINGTON, =

By ELIZABETH BECKER WASHINGTON,

[summer]

You lost me with your comment there.

[summer]

Correcton: = Correction

LOL at myself... :)

[summer]

Thanks for your freepmail. Yes, I'm still looking to take that vacation. :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[mwl1]

I don't care which British or American firms get all the Iraq reconstruction contracts... not a thin dime for any French or German firms.

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

I can't imagine the French would actually expect any contracts to come their way from the USA in this matter.

[Waco]

Queers are us Intl?? Or communism is great?? Must be one of these.

[Dog Gone]

I wonder if any of the many gifted writers and speakers of dissent will now find the time to go over to Iraq and teach these kids.

Gosh, I hope not. They'd probably teach the kids to hate America and President Bush.

[isrul]

If they create a public education system like the one we have, Iraq is doomed.

[freekitty]

I hope Creative Associates, International is not left leaning.

[Blue Screen of Death]

What they really need is Catholic schools and some mean nuns with metal edged rulers, but I guess that is probably out of the question.

[AmishDude]

COURAGE is just fascinated with the Iraqi information minister. All of his posts are like that.

[COURAGE]

"My feelings - as usual - we will slaughter them all"

[AmishDude]

I hope Creative Associates, International is not left leaning.

Don't count on it.

Really, don't.

[AmishDude]

From the first link:

“El Trapiche”, is an imaginary village in Guatemala and creates the backdrop for human rights storytelling that is causing communities to reflect on human rights abuses during years of civil conflict and how they live with this legacy today.

Clearly this is the hometown of Rigoberta Menchú.