There are approximately 19,000 schools in Iraq, with around six million school pupils in total. Unfortunately, there are only 14,000 available buildings to host them, a shortage of around 5,000. As a result, schools are forced to work on double and triple shift systems with high pupil density. The Ministry of Education is embarking on a plan to build 1,000 schools per year, though with growth in enrolment amounting to 3-4 per cent per year, it is expected that it will take longer than five years to overcome the shortage.
Another problem for the education sector is the provision of textbooks and other school requirements such as desks and blackboards. The ministry is still in the process of devising a suitable plan to ensure the delivery of textbooks to pupils. Short term activities will include the development of baseline indicators to measure educational progress, procuring and distributing essential school materials and providing equipment and supplies.
Teacher training is also badly needed, many teachers have not received any sort of training for over two decades. Particular emphasis will be placed on emergency teachers or those who have been newly appointed or reappointed. The ministry has deemed this as one of its core objectives.
Cross-cultural awareness is crucial to Iraq's busines growth potential. In order to allow the cultural community to have its voice heard in the reconstruction planning process, foundations and institutions have been invited to recommend strategies for collaborating with the people of Iraq. These include the preservation of cultural heritage, protecting the environment, socially responsible investment (SRI) funds, education and diplomacy, along with multicultural industrial design, marketing, healthcare and safety practices.
