BALAD – In an attempt to provide as many new schools as possible for the children of Iraq, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is turning to modular construction to save time and money.

The USACE has already served as the construction management partner on more than 1,100 school construction projects throughout Iraq, but some areas are still in dire need of primary and secondary schools to build on Iraq’s academic foundation for future success.

The dilemma is brick and mortar schools take more than a year to construct, so USACE engineers from the Balad Resident Office are modifying construction techniques to build four modular schools in the Salahuddin province.

The advantages of modular, prefabricated construction is that contractors can build an eight-room schoolhouse in just 120 days at a fraction of the cost. But prefabrication doesn’t mean temporary, as the structures are engineered to last 20-years.

Maj. Paul Patterson, the BRO officer-in-charge, says modular school construction offers two distinct advantages.

"The speed with which the project can be completed is an important consideration… “ he said.  "It's also easier to ensure a consistent quality for the project across the province without dealing with the variability you get with the local labor pool when constructing concrete masonry unit type buildings."

Patterson also says the schools will go a long way to improve the education system in the province.

"The schools will provide an appropriate structure for a proper learning environment with climate controls, modern restrooms and whiteboards," he explained, adding that the schools will also be Internet ready should the headmasters choose to add an Internet capability later. "The bottom line is that students will be able to focus on learning in a comfortable environment," he said.

The site plan calls for each school to have three buildings; two classroom structures and a separate latrine building. Each classroom building will have three rooms designated as classrooms and the fourth room created for teachers. The buildings will be secured to high concrete footings to allow for ease of maintenance access and to avoid rainwater damage.

Concrete walkways will be built between the buildings and the plans also call for a masonry block perimeter wall with a metal gate and an asphalt volleyball/basketball court. The schools are designed to accommodate a daily population of 180 students (30 students per classroom). Unique to this contract is the clause that requires the contractor to provide all the furniture for the school, including desks and filing cabinets. This ensures that the schools are in start-up condition when they are completed.

The Iraqi-owned Cosmopolitan Company is the general contractor for the entire project, paid for by the Iraqi Transition Assistance Fund at a cost of $312,000 per school.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq has completed thousands of reconstruction projects in partnership with the U.S. Government and the government of Iraq. Since 2004, USACE has completed 5,257 projects throughout Iraq valued at more than $9.1 billion, and has more than 250 projects ongoing. The overall reconstruction effort in Iraq currently provides jobs for more than 20,000 Iraqis.