I ‘googled’ Iraqi Education System earlier today, for work purposes. Normally, when I do this I get a wikipedia page result, a UNESCO page, an indigenous result or a combination of all 3 filling out the top search results. Today though was different – the first result was instead a page from a group called USAID, and a description of their assistance and accomplishments in revitalising the Iraqi education system since 2003.

The opening paragraphs read:

Assistance has helped Iraq move away from rote learning methodology in decrepit, unsanitary classrooms to interactive learning in rehabilitated buildings. Since 2003, USAID has rehabilitated nearly 3,000 schools. Over 20 million new textbooks have been supplied by USAID (8.6 million) and UNESCO (12 million). Tens of thousands of primary school teachers have received training and technical assistance.

Through the Higher Education and Development (HEAD) more than 1,500 Iraqi faculty and students have participated in workshops, trainings, conferences, and courses all over the world since January 2004. Program efforts have rehabilitated university facilities throughout the country.

This is more a random observation that the launching pad for a diatribe. Interestingly, Iraqi qualifications are often deemed to be on a par with Irish qualifications.