New Year Brings New World To Iraqi Schools

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | September 27, 2003 | Vivienne Walt

[Ex-Dem]

Baghdad -- With Saddam Hussein gone and Iraq's economy in shambles, few changes since the war's end are likely to be as startling as those awaiting the nation's students when they return to class Wednesday to begin their first academic year without the dictator.

[Ex-Dem]

*ping!

The U.S. occupation administration, which regards education as an essential ingredient in creating a democracy in postwar Iraq, has rushed to introduce reforms and raise monthly teacher salaries from $15 along with tips from children seeking higher grades before the invasion to $160 a month.

[jla]

bttt

[tiamat]

Tell you what , though.

They ought not to completely expunge references to Saddam and the Baathists

If they try to pretend he never existed and teach nothing about him, another Saddam is sure to rise in Iraq

Tia

[WL-law]

The anti-Bush media have recently reported incidents and demonstrations where "young people" have chanted pro-Saddam slogans and demonstrated against the American "occupation".

This story "peels a layer of the onion" to show the real reason behind those actions -- that the youth of Iraq have been systematically brainwashed.

Now, the anti-Bush media certainly don't think we need to be troubled with that part of the story -- just keep walking, no news here.

[Richard-SIA]

"U.S. educators working in Iraq say classroom instruction relied on rote recitation and unquestioned obedience to the regime that ruled out any kind of critical thinking."

Hmm, sounds just like what the NEA wants to institute here!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Wow, Ex-Dem. An in depth condemnation of a state education/indoctrination program in the San Francisco Chronicle, no less. Thanks for the post.

KEY TO HUSSEIN'S POWER For decades, Hussein regarded education as key to his grip on power. Baath officials left their mark in virtually every classroom. Party teachings began at age 6, and millions of students were sent to party youth camps during the summer. "We must win the youth to guarantee the future," went a party slogan.

---

Control of the youth, the education, the Info Ministry - bad plan, Hillary.
~~~

"It was not the usual start to a new school term. ‘Open your books and turn to page four,’ the teacher instructed the pupils sitting in the gloom of an unlit classroom. Obediently they flicked through the pages until they reached the familiar photograph of a smiling Saddam Hussein standing in front of an Iraqi flag. ‘Now rip it out,’ the teacher said, to the astonishment of her pupils."  ~ The Times (London), 5/14/03

VOICES OF FREEDOM
Quotes from the grateful Iraqi people. Y

If you want on or off my Pro-Coalition ping list, please Freepmail me. Warning: it is a high volume ping list on good days. (Most days are good days).

[Radix]

"Their minds have been totally closed," said Leslye Arsht, the U.S. senior adviser for Iraq's Ministry of Education

 

KEY TO HUSSEIN'S POWER For decades, Hussein regarded education as key to his grip on power

 

 

This is just about the most powerful (as perceived by me) posts that I have seen from you yet. I look at most if not all that you post RC. This one strikes me different. This one shows me something  about the ahole who ruled that place with an iron fist before we Americans liberated them.You are doing a fantastic job, and I want you to know that I am appreciative.

 

 

Some quotes from der Fuhrer

 

 "The racial state must not adjust its entire educational work primarily to the infusion of mere knowledge, but to the cultivation of absolutely sound bodies.  The training of mental abilities is only secondary.  And here again, first consideration must be assigned to the development of character, especially the promotion of will-power and determination, combined with training in a joyful sense of responsibility—and only lastly, academic schooling."

 

 

"If as the first task of the state in the service and for the welfare of its nationality we recognize the preservation, care, and development of the best racial elements, it is natural that this care must not only extend to the birth of every little national and racial comrade, but that it must educate the young offspring to become a valuable link in the chain of future reproduction."

 

"Universal education is the most corroding and disintegrating poison that liberalism has ever invented for its own destruction."

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[mark502inf]

"We must win the youth to guarantee the future," went a party slogan

classroom instruction relied on ... unquestioned obedience to the regime that ruled out any kind of critical thinking. "Their minds have been totally closed," said Leslye Arsht, the U.S. senior adviser

The Dems & the NEA dream of attaining this goal.

[GeekDejure]

Hmm, sounds just like what the NEA wants to institute here!

Yup . . . and I figure the only difference between Inaqi education and today's U.S education is about 12,000 miles !!!

.

[windchime]

Bump!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you for the kind words, Radix.

The quotes last May from the newly freed Iraqi teachers were so powerful. They changed my perspective of Iraq, as well.

Simple, time-tested: control the education, the information - control the people. Backed up by torture, and threats from a vain, and ambitious ruling party, it's a crime against humanity.

In our free society, our lack of vigilance, accountability re. our "info" providers is suicidal, imho.

[blackie]

Education ~ Bump!