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Crisis in Iraq depriving children and young people of education

Crisis in Iraq depriving children and young people of education

The crisis in Iraq has paralysed the education system in the country, leaving thousands of children deprived of schooling, a fringe organised at the TUC Congress in Liverpool by the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK, heard.

The fringe was also reminded that trade union activists are living in constant peril, and the deteriorating situation has already cost the lives of leading figures in the Iraqi Teachers’ Union (ITU).

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:

“The NASUWT is in constant contact with our colleagues in the ITU and the Kurdistan Teachers’ Union and the picture they paint is extremely grim.

“Two thirds of the estimated two million displaced are children and young people, who are currently living in makeshift conditions and without access to education.

“The political and security instability in Iraq is very worrying. The future of Iraqi children and young people is in extreme jeopardy, and therefore with it the future of Iraq.”

Gail Cartmail, TUC General Council spokesperson on International Development, speaking at the fringe, said:

“Politicians inside Iraq and globally need to keep in mind that free trade unions are the hallmark, the guarantors of the sort of peaceful, strong, democratic, free society that Iraq so desperately needs.”
 


Ben Padley,
Press and Media Officer,
Campaigns and Communications,
NASUWT
Hillscourt Education Centre
Rednal
Birmingham
B45 8RS

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