EDUCATION OVERVIEW

 

• Administration and Finance
• Size
• Structure
• Private and Public Education
• Academic Year
• Teacher Education

 

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Administration and Finance:

Education in Iraq is state-controlled and highly centralized. The responsibility for decision-making and supervision of the Iraqi education system is controlled by three authorities: local government educational authorities, which are responsible for kindergarten and primary education; Ministry of Education, which is responsible for secondary education (general, vocational, and teacher training), including curriculum development; and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, which is responsible for the administration of universities and the Foundation of Technical Institutes.

 

Iraq is divided into 15 educational regions, each under a Director General of Education, for the administration of primary and secondary education.  Each university and higher education institute has a council, and they are autonomous in a range of professional matters. However, they are financed directly by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, which makes most decisions concerning facilities, admissions requirements and the appointment and assignment of staff.

 

The State fully finances all aspects of public education. There are two types of finance: funding from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and funding which covers private undergraduate education, which is provided by professional and private organizations and associations. The government is responsible for supplying books, teaching aids and free student residences for all public institutions. 

 

Arabic is the primary language of instruction at all institutions, with Kurdish also taught in Kurdish areas.  

 

Size:  

There are approximately 12,950 educational institutions of all levels and types in Iraq. Of this total, 10 are state universities; three, private colleges, and a state Technical Institutes Commission, which is comprised of 28 institutions. The total enrollment of students at all levels of education is approximately 4,319,368.

 

Structure:

Pre-school education in Iraq is of two-years duration and is open to children 4 years old.  Primary education is six years in duration and is compulsory through age 11.  Secondary education is six years in duration and completed in two stages: Intermediate and Preparatory.  Intermediate education lasts three years for students aged 12 to 14 years.  Preparatory education also lasts for three years and is designed to prepare students for the labour market or university study.  It is divided into two branches (scientific and literary) beginning with the second year of preparatory education, during which students pursue academic studies in the sciences or humanities.  In addition, there is also a six or three-year (depending on the point of entry) vocational preparatory stream of education, which covers industrial, agricultural and commercial branches.  Vocational preparatory education is designed to prepare students for work in the professions or for university study.

 

Tertiary education is open to students who satisfactorily complete secondary education.  Programmes at the undergraduate level are from three to six years in duration. Additionally, there are 28 two-year postsecondary institutes which train students for various technical professions.  Programmes leading to postgraduate degrees are also available.         

 

Private and Public Education:

There are no private education institutions at the primary or secondary level in Iraq.  At the tertiary level, three private institutions were established in the late 1980’s and continue to operate with government approval.

 

Academic Year:

September to June

 

Teacher Education:

Kindergarten and primary teachers are trained in five-year post-intermediate or two-year post-preparatory courses taught at Teacher Training Institutes.  The qualification obtained is the Diploma in Primary Education.

 

Teacher training for secondary-level teachers is available at the colleges of education in various universities.  The Bachelor of Arts or Science for secondary teachers can be completed in four years and includes a small number of professional education units.  Graduates from non-education degree programmes can complete a one-year Higher Diploma of Education at the University of Baghdad, or a six-month course offered by the Ministry of Education.  Training for teachers of vocational education is provided through the University of Technology, and Colleges of Agriculture, Administration, and Commerce within special teacher preparation departments. 

Revised: May 06, 2004 .
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