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Two Mosul schools reopen doors

Apr-24-2004 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

[Link to Press Release]
by Sgt. Joseph Sanchez

MOSUL, Iraq (April 24, 2004) – Nearly 1,300 children are returning to school after the Al Janeen and Al Bayariq primary schools celebrated the end of renovations during ribbon cutting ceremonies April 18.

The projects, funded by the Overseas Humanitarian Disaster and Civic Aid program, is part of the Coalition forces’ continuing efforts to rebuild Iraq’s infrastructure.

“The Army’s intent is to have Iraqis control and manage all of their ministries,” said Maj. Terrance Evans, 416th Civil Affairs Battalion. “With the Department of Education’s involvement in this project, we are well on our way to a smooth transition come June 30.”

June 30 is the date sovereignty will be transferred to the Iraqi people.

The $10,000 Al Janeen project included the construction of new bathrooms for students, painting of the entire school, renovation of teachers’ bathrooms, installation of new windows and new lighting and ceiling fans for all the classrooms.

Firas Bureau Company, a local Iraqi contractor, completed the renovations.

Shokoat Hajah, headmaster of Al Janeen school, said the nearly 900 students at his school were lacking the encouragement to learn because of the bad condition of the school.

“This ‘new’ place gives the students more motivation to learn after the restoration project,” Hajah said of the school, which has been closed to students for nearly a month.

Similar improvements, including the installation of new steel doors and septic tanks, kept the Al Bayariq school closed for about three weeks. Work was completed by KRA, a local contractor, and cost $14,000.

Many teachers and students voiced concerns about the school and are grateful for the renovations Enain Tahar, a fine arts teacher at the Al Janeen school, said the school was in bad shape. On occasion, the plaster would fall down around the children.

“The renovations recently made to the schools will provide a safer, healthier and cleaner learning environment for the children,” Evans said. “This should allow the teachers to focus more on teaching versus safety.”

Salwa Agwel, assistant headmistress for Al Bayariq school, said the renovations will help the teaching staff to better educate over 400 first through sixth graders at her school.

“It gives the students a more comfortable learning environment to work in,” Agwel said.

The Coalition forces are committed to working side by side with the people of Iraq to increase education standards, which is a cornerstone of the free society that Iraq is becoming.


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