New start for Iraq's schools

By Jon Stewart
BBC correspondent in Baghdad

School children have not seen each other for weeks

Schools in Baghdad face the same problems affecting everyone in Iraq's capital: frequent power cuts, limited clean water supplies, and concerns about security.

Unicef recently delivered what it calls "classroom in a box" kits to some schools in the Saddam City suburb.

They contain enough basic materials, like books and pens, for 80 pupils and two teachers.

At al-Shomus primary school the children greeted them with excitement.

Boys and girls were there together to see the delivery, but usually they go to the school separately, in two shifts, which also helps fit them all in to the limited number of classrooms.

Unsafe learning

Teachers were grateful, but said there were also more fundamental problems at the school they want to see addressed.

They are worried about sanitation. Because of the problems with water supplies and waste treatment the school playground is frequently flooded with sewage.

They also said the school facilities are terribly dated, as they have had no government investment for around 20 years.

Baath party history is no longer taught

A Unicef education official in Baghdad says it is a problem that affects many schools in Iraq.

"It was estimated that about 50% of schools facilities are inappropriate for learning and safe teaching," she said.

Baghdad's secondary schools have been trying to hold lessons as normal, but often the classes are more than half-empty.

Children and parents are worried about the security in the city.

There are daily reports of muggings and car-jackings, and of young women being abducted.

Unless a girl's parents can drop her off and pick her up they will often choose to keep her at home.

New lessons

Most schools were closed for around two months during the war, and the children are very pleased to be able to meet up with their friends again.

Because the telephones are not working in Baghdad, they have not been able to contact each other.

Security is still a problem

There is one big difference in the timetables - modern history, dealing with Saddam Hussein and the "achievements" of the Baath party is not being taught.

Some schools have literally thrown those textbooks away, or ripped out pages.

Exams are just a few weeks away in Iraq, and traditionally tests at key stages were set by the Ministry of Education.

No one is sure what will happen now, and many students are worried the entire year could be written off.