Baghdad: The Eco-Iraq Observatory has reported that approximately 1,000 mud and prefabricated schools continue to operate in the governorates of Salah al-Din and Dhi Qar, accommodating students despite significant infrastructure challenges.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the observatory stressed that Iraq needs over 10,000 new schools to effectively tackle classroom overcrowding. The current number of schools, exceeding 40,000, falls short of the actual demand. The observatory highlighted the need for around 8,000 additional schools to implement a single-shift system, which would entail having a dedicated building for each school administration.

The observatory further outlined that the construction of over 10,000 schools is crucial for alleviating overcrowding and fostering a better learning environment. It noted the presence of approximately 200 mud schools and 800 prefabricated schools in Salah al-Din and Dhi Qar. The statement also identified the most densely populated regions such as Baghdad, Mosul, Basra, and Dhi Qar as being in dire need of new educational facilities.

The statement acknowledged the Ministry of Education’s commitment and efforts to address these issues and improve the educational conditions for students across Iraq.