IDPs start school in Dohuk скачать в хорошем качестве

IDPs start school in Dohuk

(19 Oct 2015) LEAD IN: Schools in Iraq's northern Kurdish region are struggling to cope as they find space for the country's displaced school children. Teachers say there aren't even enough books available as the number of pupils needing access to an education continues to rise. STORY-LINE: A welcome return to school. It's the first day back after an extra long summer break. For some pupils lining up with their school bags and books - it's also the first day at their new school. Though the bare walls and concrete floors don't resemble any school they know. This unfinished construction site is now home to the 500 pupils that make up the 'Nineveh IDP School for Girls'. They came from all over Iraq after fleeing the Islamic State group, but have found themselves here in the northern Kurdish region. With around 93,000 displaced students needing education in the Dohuk area - any empty building will do. Funded by Iraq's central government, the conditions the children have found themselves in are hard. The school is struggling - and it's only its first day back. There are not enough text books for all students, say teachers. Teacher Haifa Mohammed says only 50 percent of books have arrived. "We urge the department of education of the people who are in charge to help us by providing the right books and stationery for internally displaced students," she says. None of this matters to the children who are just happy to be back at school. Even then it's a short day: school runs from 0800 until 1230. 12 year-old Ghasaq Mohammed says she wants to work hard to make her teachers happy. "We love our school. We always want to be responsible and not upset our teachers. So we can be hard working students." Despite their enthusiasm, teachers say times are tough for the IDPs. "Because they are all IDP's they need help and it's hard to teach them. They all live under bad conditions because they're IDPs," says Salam Hussein, the schools deputy. The school has 500 students at the moment. But Hussein says new students arrive every day as families continue to flee Islamic State militants and settle in the north. "We urge any NGO or international organisation to help these students to at least pay for their transportation." "And also to send them to other schools because it's too crowded here." Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...