Education in Iraq: Facts and Figures, April 2010
Education is a fundamental human right which should be directed to the full development of the human personality. Under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the second Millennium Development Goal (MDG) and the second Education for All (EFA) goal, the Government of Iraq is committed to ensuring that, by 2015, children everywhere in Iraq, all boys and girls alike, are able to complete a full course of primary schooling. In addition, through the other EFA goals and targets under MDG Two, the Government is committed to promoting quality education and learning as a lifelong experience from the pre-primary level through to the end of the secondary level and onwards into continuous adult learning.
The Government of Iraq has therefore identified education as one of its main priorities, reflected by the increase of total government expenditure allocated for education from 7.2% in 2008 to 9.9% in 2009.
Improved education levels will provide a critical contribution to Iraq’s efforts to meet all eight MDG targets. Improved education will boost skill levels in the Iraqi labour force and increase economic productivity, contributing
to the alleviation of poverty under MDG One. A quarter (23%) of the population lives in poverty, spending less than ID77,000 per month (less than US$2.2 per day). In particular, improved school enrolment and education levels among women will assist in fulfilling Iraq’s commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering women (MDG Three and EFA Goal Five). Increased literacy (EFA Goal Four) and numeracy skills – particularly among women – will raise awareness and understanding of health and environmental issues among the population, instrumental to assist key behaviour change to improve child and maternal mortality (MDGs Four and Five) and facilitate increased environmental sustainability (MDG Seven). Improved literacy levels will also encourage use of new technologies, which will contribute to more productive and inclusive partnerships for development (MDG Eight).
Overall, Iraqis’ perceptions of education have deteriorated during the past few years. In 2004-2005, over 70% of Iraqis had a positive perception of local schools. This dropped considerably to 43% by March 2007, but had risen once again to 63% by February 2009.
(Inter-Agency Information and Analysis Unit (IAU); UN Assistance Mission in Iraq)
|
Related Posts
- On Global Action Week for Education the UN Calls for More Funds to Improve Access to Quality Public Education in Iraq
- Dutch radio listening figures April/May 2010
- Dutch radio listening figures March/April 2010
- New South Wales Department of Education and Training Selects Adobe for Digital Education Revolution Initiative
- $317,000 grant to improve mathematics education
