Schools Begin To Open After ISIS Is Ousted From Mosul

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Story Description:

ISIS has been pushed out of the eastern portion of the Iraqi city, Mosul. Under ISIS control, children in Mosul were not able to go to school. Now, with ISIS gone, schools in Mosul are beginning to reopen. In the years that schools were closed, teachers were out of work and students fell behind in their education. Today, teachers have returned to work despite the fact that they are not being paid and schools are still without heat or electric light. Listen to learn more about how the Education Ministry in Mosul is working to rebuild city’s school system.

Listening Comprehension Questions:

• Why did parents not allow their children to go to ISIS-controlled schools?
• How were teachers affected by the shutdown of schools?
• What kind of effect do you think missing years of school will have on the children of Mosul?
• What is UNICEF doing to help the Education Ministry? What else could they do to better the situation?

Classroom Discussion Themes:

• What do you believe is the importance of education during a time of crisis?
• What responsibility do you feel the United States has to support education and rebuilding of school systems in Iraq?