On August 19, many Iraqi children in Jordan began school for the first time. In 2006, it is estimated that only 20,000 of the 200,000 Iraqi school-aged children in Jordan attended school and only 6,000 completed the school year. These low numbers are attributed to Jordan’s policy of only allowing Iraqis with proper residency or who could pay, to attend school. However, this year Jordan officials agreed to allow Iraqi children to attend school regardless of their legal status, allowing a greater number of children to go to school.
Many of these children are refugees from Iraq, fleeing the violence of the war and sectarian fighting. Since 2003, about 2 million Iraqis fled the country, with the majority going to Syria, Jordan and Egypt. It is thought that 750,000 Iraqi refugees currently reside in Jordan, a country of 5 million people, making it the highest per capita ratio of refugees to citizens. The large number of refugees and the number of services that Jordan provides puts a strain on the government. One year of elementary or secondary education will cost $1400 per pupil. UNHCR and UNICEF recently appealed for $129 million dollars to help several host countries, including Jordan, to finance the costs of these additional students.
Other obstacles include how to accommodate this influx in enrollment. It is estimated that 50,000 Iraqis children will attend Jordan’s already crowded schools, resulting in classes of over 50 students. Education Ministry official, Mohammed Okour, stated that if schools become too crowded that a shift-system of morning and afternoon classes will be introduced.
For more information please see:
Reuters: “UNHCR hails decision to let Iraqi children attend school in Jordan” 20 August 2007.
BBC: “Iraqis enrol in Jordan’s schools” 19 August 2007.
France14: “Back to school for Iraqi children… in Jordan” 19 August 2007.
International Herald Tribune: “Iraqi refugee children in Jordan finally have first day of school” 19 August 2007.
Human Rights Watch: “Jordan: Government pledges to grant Iraqis education, health rights” 16 August 2007.
UNICEF: “UNICEF welcomes Jordan’s offer of education to Iraqi children” 10 August 2007.
