Iraqi Family Found Education Deteriorating
Unlike many Iraqi children who enrolled in the Yaqob Hashem School this year, 11-year-old Hussain Majid Nassrat has not missed any full years of schooling. Hussain arrived in Amman in June after attending the Jawhar Bin Ebi Selma School in Baghdad. However, his father, Majid Nassrat, and Hussain both claim that the quality of education in Iraq worsened due to the war.
According to Mr. Nassrat, the education level in Iraq was extremely poor, perhaps even worse than that. Militias had taken control of schools, and cheating had become common. He saw no evidence of the technical and financial aid provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development to Iraq’s schools after the occupation by a U.S.-led coalition.
One of the most serious dangers Hussain faced was the frequent kidnapping of children for ransom. Mr. Nassrat revealed that children living near their house had been kidnapped, and hefty amounts were paid to secure their release. Hussain often missed school due to illness or psychological distress. He believed that using public transportation instead of walking to school was safer, as walking posed a kidnapping risk. Hussain proudly mentioned that he managed to keep up with his homework using candlelight during electricity outages.
Sometimes, the teacher was absent, but other teachers would fill in. Many students were frequently absent, and there were frequent power outages at school and home. The boy also mentioned that sometimes they were told to go home without explanation.
Concerned for his family’s safety, Hussain’s father had left Iraq after being targeted in two assassination attempts and receiving death threats from militia members. He slept at the front of the house with a rifle and hand grenades at hand. Due to the deteriorating security situation in Baghdad, Hussain was moved to the Jawhar Bin Ebi Selma School after his previous school was hit by American missiles.
Hussain, now in 5th grade at his new school in Amman, expressed that learning is much easier compared to Baghdad. He cited the absence of power cuts, better teaching quality, and a sense of safety as reasons for the improvement. Hussain feels safe and has successfully adjusted to the academic program in Amman, with his only struggle being English, which he had only started studying later than his peers in Jordan.
Mr. Nassrat highlighted the family’s challenges, including his eldest son being unable to enter Jordan from Iraq. They have applied to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for resettlement in another country. However, like many displaced Iraqis, Mr. Nassrat does not have permission to work in Jordan. Imran Riza, a UNHCR representative in Jordan, acknowledged the limited chances of resettlement for displaced Iraqis in the region. He stated that there have been reports of some displaced Iraqis returning to the country from Syria, but he does not believe that those in Jordan are doing so, and the UNHCR does not recommend it.
Mr. Nassrat concluded by expressing his despair over the ongoing situation in Iraq, stating that it is unbearable.
