Debate for peace building and reconciliation

Under Saddam Hussein's regime, all Iraqi children attended government-run schools that taught a standardized, state-approved curriculum. Now, private schools that provide specialized programs and less-crowded classrooms are beginning to open in Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq. In the pre-Saddam Hussein era, private schools were common in the country. But after 1979 (when Saddam became president), these schools were banned, a law passed in 2004 allowed private schools to open again. Private schools basically manage its own tuition charges by charging families for registration in the school. Now days every Parent wants their children to study in Private schools as they are providing best study material and scope to learn and get more care…

Government schools charm getting fade due to non- efficiency of study material and even teachers are not showing their interest... Children of Governmental school always complaining about teaching not giving proper attention.

In terms of curriculum, public school systems offer a program of education designed with the needs of the general public in mind. Basic subjects such as math, English, sciences, social studies, and physical education are taught. The state sets the standards for these and examines student competency via standardized testing at intervals throughout the year. Again, this is another area that private schools have more room to be flexible in. Private schools generate their own curriculum and may offer more specialized courses, perhaps even taking students on extended field trips that cover one or more of the topics being focused on. Many private schools also use a form of standardized testing to determine student competency.

As a reason of this phenomenon increase Pana Center launched a relevant TV debate and dialogue at TERT local TV involving officials and others to participate. This activity is aiming to reveal one of the most significant issues concerning education in Iraq.

Throughout debates many aspects concerns education in Iraq were discussed in the dialogue to evaluate the effectiveness of both types of schools in society. People from different positions were hosted including journalists and teachers, the two main invitees were Muhammad Khurshed (education expert) presenting private school sector and Fawzeya Abdulla Awanees (director assistant of Kirkuk education directorate) representing public school sector. During the debate (private & public schools) phenomenon was highlighted as a critical issue which is notes obviously after the toppling of Sadam’s regime. Muhamad Khurshed addressed private school’s importance and its positive reflection on education in Iraq while Fawzeya Abdulla mentioned that, domestic financial consideration for registration’s fees and administrative staff being under the pressure of tuition charges which somehow lead them to pass student in grades in order to maintain school’s life cycle as negative points of private schools. Logistics,(cooling &heating system) and teaching methods positive points, which cannot be found in the governmental schools.

The TV program lasted for 2 hours, at the end of the debate hosted journalists and teachers started directing questions to Muhamad Khurshed and Fawzeya Abdulla “qualified teachers are assigned to specific schools” asked one of the attendees. Fawzeya stated that all teachers are graduated from the same level of education and they are randomly assigned for schools.