uishelix2.uis.edu/vod/vod/2013
Please answer the following two questions:
1. The speaker gave an overview of the Iraqi higher education system
over the last 40 years. List and describe some of the milestones and
their effects.
2. The speaker mentioned some similarities and differences between
Iraqi and US university students today. Characterize these.
Iraqi
Educational System
Most
of the modern universities in Iraq were founded during the second half of the
last centuries. Some of the very first higher education institutions include
the University of Technology, Al-Mustanasiya University, Sulaymaniah University,
Basrah University, and the Mosul University which were all established during
the 1960s. By 1970 until mid of 1980, the education sector experienced a surge
of development in terms of literacy and enrolment rate. Dubbed as the “Golden
Years”, Iraq’s gross enrolment rate increased to more than 100% while
illiteracy rate plummeted to less than 10%. Apart from this, gender equality
was advocated in schools and universities as more and more women enrolled for
higher education (UNESCO, 2013, p.1).
By 1984 up until 1989
however, these universities along with a number of constituent colleges
sustained significant damages in terms of quality and infrastructure because of
the conflict with Iran. In addition to this, the economic sanctions led to the
decline of resources used to fund public schools. Consequently, this resulted
to a steep downfall of the educational budget and spending. As the government
was more focused on military spending, all strategic planning to renew the
country’s educational system were either cancelled or postponed.
By 1990 up until the early part of 2000, Iraq’s
educational institutions continued to weaken due to the First Gulf War. One of
the most obvious outcomes of the debilitated system was the dropout rate which
reached to more than 20%. Additionally, almost an entire generation of
teachers, scholars, and academes fled from the Hussein regime as well as from decreased
salary rate. And while the government tried to rehabilitate the educational
system, it continued to suffer because of insufficient and limited capacity to
create and manage efficient higher education programs (UNESCO, 2013, p.1).
After
over two decades, the Iraqi government together with the international
community is aiming at the revitalization of the educational system. More
importantly, the education sector will play a vital role in eliminating the
sectarian division; and at the same time foster long-term economic, political,
and social stability within the country. In 2003, Iraq received a substantial
assistance from the international community to reform the educational system.
One of the immediate objectives was to abolish the Baathist ideology from the curriculum.
Aside from this, a new Ministry of Education was appointed to revise the
national curriculum.
By February
2005, UNESCO participated in revitalizing and strengthening the higher
education in Iraq. The international academic community as well as other
international organizations provided help by developing and accrediting quality
curricula which will be used in schools and universities. Similarly, teachers
were trained while educational institutions were given new technologies.
Infrastructure needs were also addressed through the help of international
donors.
Although
Iraq’s current educational system is far from what it has experienced during
its golden years, the reconstruction and rehabilitation in Iraqi universities
dramatically elevated that opportunities of students to receive quality
education. In fact, Iraqi and U.S. university students today share a number of
similarities. This is evident in the quality training and education received by
the students. Similarly, more and more opportunities of employment are opening
up for both male and female Iraqi graduates.
References
“Iraq’s Higher Educational System” (2012). University
of Illinois. Retrieved 27 June 2013, from
http://uishelix2.uis.edu/vod/vod/2013/ECCELoopstra42513.html
“Higher Education for Iraq”. (2013) UNESCO. Retrieved
27 June 2013, from
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/iraq-office/education/higher-education/ 
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