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COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY
http://www.iraqcoalition.org
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2004
Contact: Mike Hardiman
Baghdad Central 914-360-6864
Baghdad School Improvement Program Nears Completion
Nearly all of Baghdad’s schools have benefited from a grant program to make
repairs and purchase supplies which was funded by CPA’s Baghdad Central office.
To date, 1,564 out of approximately 1,700 schools have benefited from $750
grants for repairs and supplies of their choice from the Baghdad School
Teacher/Parent Program.
Parents, teachers and local Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) members were
required to complete a process of consultation to determine their school’s
highest priorities for funding. The headmaster of each school was then
responsible for carrying out the improvements.
Items purchased included improvements to the insides of the buildings such as
curtains, carpets, window glass, doors, locks, paint and minor plumbing and
electrical equipment. Outside improvements included gardening tools such as
shovels, trowels and buckets, sports equipment such as soccer balls and
goalposts. Classroom improvements included chairs, desks and school supplies
such as stationary, chalk and chalkboards, art supplies and maps.
In many cases the funding brought additional value through volunteers using
purchased supplies to make plumbing repairs, plant a garden or apply paint.
The process of organizing how to spend this comparatively small grant helped to
determine what larger, more expensive projects should be acted on at each school
when funding is available.
For example, the parent/teacher teams identified the extent of repairs needed
and cost estimates for bathrooms, water fountains, air cooling systems,
computers and copiers. In one case, construction debris left behind by a
contractor was identified and removed at the contractor’s expense, without cost
to the grant program.
In addition to making physical improvements to the schools, the program has
established a process for parents, teachers and school administrators to work
together to improve education for students.
If you have any questions, please email Mike Hardiman at:
hardimanm@orha.centcom.mil
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