Iraq: 311 teachers and 64 pupils killed in four months
azzaman: Some 311 teachers plus 64 pupils below 12 years have been killed in the past four months, according to the latest tally from the Ministry of Education.
In a statement obtained by the newspaper, the ministry said attacks on schools and other educational facilities have increased recently and many parents have already stopped sending their children to school.
It added that more than 400 schools have been attacked in the same period and many have already put down their shutters.
Meanwhile, the second term of the current academic year (2005-2006) started a few days ago but educational authorities in the country say they are worried the latest upsurge in violence will adversely impact attendance.
At Baghdad University, only a few students reported to classes prompting the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to put off the start of the term for a week.
Many professors were reported to have stayed away fearing the strife on the streets of Baghdad will find its way to the campus.
"Violence is not only present on the streets of Baghdad. It is steadily moving to the campuses," said Ahmad Bahaa, a ministry official.
"We have almost forgotten about teaching and learning. We only think of political squabbling and useless dialogue over sectarian, political and religious issues," he said.
Abdulamir Hayder from Baghdad University said the conditions were the worst one could imagine.
"The students and their professors are in a very bad psychological situation. The only aim is how to flee to a foreign country to escape assassination or threats," he said.
Karim Ali, from Mustansiriya University in Baghdad, said Iraqi universities have lost status as science institutions.
"There is no more scientific significance left for our universities. Nobody cares about education. The campuses have turned into arenas of factional struggle," he said.
Despite the gloomy picture, the ministry said it would set up two new universities, one in each of the southern cities of Amara and Samawa. Link
In a statement obtained by the newspaper, the ministry said attacks on schools and other educational facilities have increased recently and many parents have already stopped sending their children to school.
It added that more than 400 schools have been attacked in the same period and many have already put down their shutters.
Meanwhile, the second term of the current academic year (2005-2006) started a few days ago but educational authorities in the country say they are worried the latest upsurge in violence will adversely impact attendance.
At Baghdad University, only a few students reported to classes prompting the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to put off the start of the term for a week.
Many professors were reported to have stayed away fearing the strife on the streets of Baghdad will find its way to the campus.
"Violence is not only present on the streets of Baghdad. It is steadily moving to the campuses," said Ahmad Bahaa, a ministry official.
"We have almost forgotten about teaching and learning. We only think of political squabbling and useless dialogue over sectarian, political and religious issues," he said.
Abdulamir Hayder from Baghdad University said the conditions were the worst one could imagine.
"The students and their professors are in a very bad psychological situation. The only aim is how to flee to a foreign country to escape assassination or threats," he said.
Karim Ali, from Mustansiriya University in Baghdad, said Iraqi universities have lost status as science institutions.
"There is no more scientific significance left for our universities. Nobody cares about education. The campuses have turned into arenas of factional struggle," he said.
Despite the gloomy picture, the ministry said it would set up two new universities, one in each of the southern cities of Amara and Samawa. Link
posted by exoplanet at 8:51 PM
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