More 'Good News' From Iraq. It Is Too Dangerous For Kids To Attend School!

[leftchick]

<snip>

BAGHDAD, 3 April (IRIN) - Children's education is being severely affected by ongoing sectarian violence, say officials at the Ministry of Education.

"Teachers have informed us that a high percentage of students aren't attending class, especially primary schools students," said senior ministry official Sarah Obeid. "The main reason for this is their families' fears due to the increase of sectarian violence."

According to Obeid, at least 30 percent of Iraqi students are not attending school, with the situation much worse in districts of the capital, Baghdad, where violence has been most in evidence. "The violence between Sunnis and Shi'ites is affecting innocent children," Obeid added.

Some parents have also noted growing discrimination in schools along sectarian lines. "Some teachers were treating my two sons very badly," said Abu Muhammad, a father of two, who recently removed his children from the school in question.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/0c85cee1eaa279e035629ffeced3a894.htm

[mzteris]

1. all those beautiful minds

going to waste.

All those thousands of new schools that were built...

Such a shame.

When will "they" embrace their new freedom. It's those darn terrorists we knew were there all along - we need to root them out and destroy them.

[leftchick]

2. Can you imagine dodging car bombs to get to school?

An Iraqi girl walks to school with her mother past a car damaged in a Monday night truck bomb attack Tuesday April 4, 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq. A truck driven by a suicide bomber exploded Monday near a Shiite mosque as worshippers were leaving after evening prayers killing at least 10 people and wounding 30 others, police said.(AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

[madokie]

3. With all the violence, the war destroying their very country that any

kids are in school. I know that I would have been on the battlefield when I was 8 or so years old if my country was being occupied and my neighbors, friends and family were being killed. I just wish there was a magic button or something we could do to stop this nonsense right now. But I realize that there may be nothing I can do even though I'll continue to try. so sad