Retired teachers educate the illiterate in south

A group of retired female teachers in the southern Iraqi city of Basra are helping the illiterate to read and write free of charge. Despite insecurity they are giving mobile lessons at students' houses. The decision to launch this initiative was made after a child visited one of the retired teachers and asked her to teach him how to write. After that, the teacher spoke to others who had worked in the same field and came up with the idea. Now some 10 retired teachers are reaching out to those who need their help. Most of their students, they say, did not go to school as they were sent out to work at an early age, particularly in the tough times during the sanctions years imposed after Saddam Hussein's regime invaded Kuwait in 1990. After a strong uprising against him in the early 1990s, Saddam neglected the region, which led to greater suffering among the population. "Every day I used to watch children going to school when I stopped at traffic lights trying to sell some chewing gum to help my family. Today I know how to write my name as well as my mother's name. One day I will be an important person, that is what I wish for," Namir Yacoub, a 12-year-old boy taking free lessons, told IRIN. The teachers said they hoped their work would give the youngsters better opportunities in later life. "I would hope that everyone in this world could read and write. I cannot change it all but my small contribution helps and at least provides someone with happiness and hope," Sajida al-Adab, 54, a retired teacher, told IRIN in Basra. The teachers travel from house to house giving people lessons in remote places, such as the Tanuma village, about 25 km from Basra, where students take sessions twice a week. The women said it was very difficult to reach some areas, despite security improvements in the south. They explained that the fact that they are women may mean they could be perceived as being more vulnerable by attackers in a very male-dominated society. Al-Adab said that the most encouraging part is when she sees her illiterate students starting to write their names. "No one has stopped in the middle of the studies and some of them even want extra lessons per week." Although there are no accurate figures, according to officials from Basra's education department, illiteracy is widespread. An estimated 60 percent of Iraq's population is illiterate, and at least 25 percent of primary school-age children do not go to school, according to World Bank statistics from 2002. "I'm really proud of these women and hope that all Iraqis think like them. I know that it is our job and we will certainly think now about how to help those people," Abdul-Hussein Abdul-Ali, spokesman for Basra's education department, told IRIN. Abdul-Ali added that a study was being carried out on the number of illiterate people in the area. The teachers now say they want to build on what they are doing. They have asked for assistance from the education department so they can set up formal classes and have proper facilities. They have also requested materials such as books, pens and pencils from NGOs. Staff from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said they would help the retired teachers by offering them materials. "We don't want money. We just need materials to do our work. If we have it we can reach people everywhere who want to use our services," Sarah Qussay, a teacher working in villages around Basra, told IRIN.