Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

www.mnc-i.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20090107-07
Jan. 7, 2009

School opens despite past violence

Multi-National Division – Baghdad

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – The Huda Girls’ School in Tarmiyah, northwest of Baghdad, officially reopened its doors Jan. 5 in a ceremony, featuring speeches, poems and songs.

The school provides education to approximately 950 girls, who attend at various times throughout the day to accommodate the valuable education opportunity.

“This is really something big for the people. This is a fort of science,” said Muhamad Ibrihim Jassim, administrative supervisor for the Ministry of Education in Tarmiyah about the opening of the school. “This is the largest school in the area.”

The school has long been recognized by the Ministry of Education for its excellence in education, but in 2003, that excellence was threatened.

The building was the scene of significant violence, said Dr. Malcom Phelps, senior education advisor for the embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team attached to the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

During major combat operations in 2003, the school slowly ceased to function as a fort of science and transitioned into a fort for terror.

The school, which lies up the road from a Joint Security Station, was the launching point of ambushes, improvised-explosive device attacks and sniper fire against Coalition forces and the then nascent Iraqi Security Forces.

After a cautious stability was reached in the area in 2006, Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division help to rebuild the badly war-damaged school.

Approximately $300,000 dollars of Iraqi and U.S. funds were spent to rebuild and refurbish the school, which contains 18 classrooms, science labs, an administration suite and an auditorium.

Now that the school is open, it faces many of the same issues plaguing the entire education system of Iraq.

“We have so many students,” Jassim said, adding that the girls now go to school in shifts to help alleviate the overcrowding. “We need more buildings so we can effectively teach these students.”

Peterson said there are more school projects currently in the works, and he hopes more schools will open soon.

More than just new schools, Jassim said more teachers are also needed, but he is confident in the coming years that will be easily alleviated for the Tarmiyah Qada.

“All of the teachers we currently have graduated from this school,” he said. “They belong to this area. Some of these girls will do the same thing, and we will continue to prosper like we did before the fighting.”

Jassim said he is sure the area is now safe and the fighting done.

“There is nothing more to be scared of,” he said. “These girls can come to school in peace.”

Even though there is peace and stability in the area, a symbol of violence still looms in the background. Clearly visible from inside the school’s compound is the brightly colored dome of the Ghalani Mosque. This mosque is a known safe haven for terror and frequently broadcasts anti-Coalition forces and ISF messages.

Jassim said this will not deter his efforts and the efforts of his teachers to ensure the best education possible is available for his students.

“It is our duty to provide the best education possible,” he said. “We have been charged with that duty – and we will prevail.”

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