Thursday, October 05, 2006
Iraq's education system on verge of collapse due to militias
Professionals in higher education, particularly those teaching the sciences and in health, have been targeted for assassination. Universities from Basra in the south to Kirkuk and Mosul in the north have been infiltrated by militia organisations, while the same militias from Islamic organisations regularly intimidate female students at the school and university gates for failing to wear the hijab. Women teachers have been ordered by their ministry to adopt Islamic codes of clothing and behaviour. "The militias from all sides are in the universities. Classes are not happening because of the chaos, and colleagues are fleeing if they can," said Professor Saad Jawad, a lecturer in political science at Baghdad University.
COMMENT: While this is noteworthy and has a serious knock-on effect, it is not news. The educated professional classes such as teachers and doctors have been targetted for a long time and most have fled the country in fear of their lives. This has left both the health and education systems in a mess and caused problems for those Iraqis who can't afford to go abroad for treatment or education. Without access to conventional medicine, people are turning to the ancient craft of Hijamma, or cupping. A U.N. report says at least 102 doctors have been killed, with 250 more kidnapped, 164 nurses have been killed and 77 wounded. Sunnis are afraid to go to hospitals in Shiite neighborhoods. Iraq's Ministry of Health recently reported that the country has lost 720 doctors and health employees since April 9, 2003. Informal statistics estimated that more than 2,000 doctors have left the country. Lack of consistent electricity hampers medical services, as does corruption. Militias and other security forces intimidate medical staff into prioritising patients who are their members. COMMENT ENDS.
