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Iraqi Children Get Survival Lessons
Iraqi Children Get "Survival" Lessons
IslamOnline.net & News Agencies
Sun. 18 Feb. 2007
IslamOnline.net & News Agencies
The raging sectarian violence and sometimes indiscriminate bombings have made such lessons a must.
RAMADI, IRAQ ? Along math, science and geography, Iraqi children are now required to learn a vital subject that could save their lives in a war-torn country: hiding and taking precautionary measures when a bomb hits their seats of learning.
"Kids, if there is fighting, what should a pupil do," an Iraqi teacher in the western city of Ramadi asks his class students sitting politely behind their desks, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP) Sunday, February 18.
All know the answer by heart, shouting in unison: "Get away from the windows, stay in the classroom" and "hide under the desks."
The raging sectarian violence and sometimes indiscriminate bombings have made such lessons a must.
"We don't have a choice," Abi Ahmad Ati, head of Al-Yarubia primary school for boys in Ramadi, one of the most hot spots in chaos-mired Iraq, told AFP.
With up to 34,000 Iraqis killed last year in sectarian violence, Ati said he is responsible for the security and safety of both children and the staff.
"It's better we have the drill down pat. I have to take care of my staff and the children," he said.
The teacher, Hassan al-Hadithi, said sometimes they keep children in class after normal school hours until they make sure that they are safe.
"We have taught them how to deal with the danger and, when classes end, we don't let them leave unless we are sure they are safe," Hadithi said.
A report published Wednesday, February 14, by the UN children's agency UNICEF said: "The current insecurity is making the choice for families to send their children to school a life-threatening one in some areas."
"Children need more protection, both within and outside of school walls," the report said warning that "Iraq's school system is now dangerously vulnerable."
Salem Mohammed, who picked up his nine-year-old son at the school, said it is out of the question to let the boy walk home alone.
"I take risks to bring him here and back to the house again," Mohammed said, but added that it is still better that his son attend school.
Traumatized
Unlucky children, on the other hand, were caught in the vicious cycle of violence. Many were killed, but several other were traumatized or maimed for life.
Yas Khudaier, 10, was caught in crossfire between US troops and gunmen with a bullet severing his spinal cord.
Now he uses wheelchair, watching his classmates come and go.
"There is no more specialized equipment," his father complained.
"The doctors who were able to do the operation have fled."
Last month, 100 eminent British and Iraqi doctors sent a letter to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, warning that hundreds of Iraqi children were dying in Iraqi hospitals over the acute shortage of simple medical equipment.
UNICEF spokeswoman Ban Dhayi told AFP from Amman: "Education is the best way to ensure that they don't fall into traumas. It gives them a normal life and they can play."
Going to school also "mitigates psychological effects of trauma" suffered elsewhere, she added.
UNICEF cited figures compiled by British charity Save The Children, which showed that more than 200,000 children had left school in Iraq since 2004.
"Over 800,000 children may now be out of school," the group estimated.
www.islamonline.net
Other Sources
Save Iraqi Children Doctors Tell Blair www.islamonline.net
www.islamonline.net
Iraq's Education System Collapses www.islamonline.net
US Apathetic on Iraqi Refugees www.islamonline.net
Iraqi Chidren Find Joy in Theatre
IslamOnline.net & News Agencies
Sun. 18 Feb. 2007
IslamOnline.net & News Agencies
The raging sectarian violence and sometimes indiscriminate bombings have made such lessons a must.
RAMADI, IRAQ ? Along math, science and geography, Iraqi children are now required to learn a vital subject that could save their lives in a war-torn country: hiding and taking precautionary measures when a bomb hits their seats of learning.
"Kids, if there is fighting, what should a pupil do," an Iraqi teacher in the western city of Ramadi asks his class students sitting politely behind their desks, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP) Sunday, February 18.
All know the answer by heart, shouting in unison: "Get away from the windows, stay in the classroom" and "hide under the desks."
The raging sectarian violence and sometimes indiscriminate bombings have made such lessons a must.
"We don't have a choice," Abi Ahmad Ati, head of Al-Yarubia primary school for boys in Ramadi, one of the most hot spots in chaos-mired Iraq, told AFP.
With up to 34,000 Iraqis killed last year in sectarian violence, Ati said he is responsible for the security and safety of both children and the staff.
"It's better we have the drill down pat. I have to take care of my staff and the children," he said.
The teacher, Hassan al-Hadithi, said sometimes they keep children in class after normal school hours until they make sure that they are safe.
"We have taught them how to deal with the danger and, when classes end, we don't let them leave unless we are sure they are safe," Hadithi said.
A report published Wednesday, February 14, by the UN children's agency UNICEF said: "The current insecurity is making the choice for families to send their children to school a life-threatening one in some areas."
"Children need more protection, both within and outside of school walls," the report said warning that "Iraq's school system is now dangerously vulnerable."
Salem Mohammed, who picked up his nine-year-old son at the school, said it is out of the question to let the boy walk home alone.
"I take risks to bring him here and back to the house again," Mohammed said, but added that it is still better that his son attend school.
Traumatized
Unlucky children, on the other hand, were caught in the vicious cycle of violence. Many were killed, but several other were traumatized or maimed for life.
Yas Khudaier, 10, was caught in crossfire between US troops and gunmen with a bullet severing his spinal cord.
Now he uses wheelchair, watching his classmates come and go.
"There is no more specialized equipment," his father complained.
"The doctors who were able to do the operation have fled."
Last month, 100 eminent British and Iraqi doctors sent a letter to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, warning that hundreds of Iraqi children were dying in Iraqi hospitals over the acute shortage of simple medical equipment.
UNICEF spokeswoman Ban Dhayi told AFP from Amman: "Education is the best way to ensure that they don't fall into traumas. It gives them a normal life and they can play."
Going to school also "mitigates psychological effects of trauma" suffered elsewhere, she added.
UNICEF cited figures compiled by British charity Save The Children, which showed that more than 200,000 children had left school in Iraq since 2004.
"Over 800,000 children may now be out of school," the group estimated.
www.islamonline.net
Other Sources
Save Iraqi Children Doctors Tell Blair www.islamonline.net
www.islamonline.net
Iraq's Education System Collapses www.islamonline.net
US Apathetic on Iraqi Refugees www.islamonline.net
Iraqi Chidren Find Joy in Theatre