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Kurdistan Region-Iraq News in brief
10.10.2006
update 1 |
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Sulaimaniyah,
Erbil, Duhok, Kirkuk, Kurdistan Region (Iraq), October
10,
2006
Terrorists threaten to poison Sirwan River
Hawler Post newspaper
Garmiyan region, south of Sulaimaniyah forces now
surround the river.
The River springs from Iran, passes through
Sulaimaniya province and flows to the neighboring
Diyala province.
Villagers living on the river said that authorities
asked them to inform security if they detected
anything suspicious.
According to Hawler Post newspaper published in
Erbil, the threat was announced after terrorist
activities were almost under control. A team of
experts are examining Sirwan water frequently to
make sure it is clean and drinkable.
Murder on the increase
A recent report by Sulaimaniyah police indicates
that the murder rate has risen by 27% this year, a
worrying trend for the Regional Government.
Barham Wali, was days away from going to university,
but his dream was cut short. The youth was shot dead
while he was hanging out with some of his friends on
a corner of their neighborhood in Said Sadq, 53 km
east of Sulaimaniyah.
A recent report by Sulaimaniyah police indicates
that the murder rate has risen by 27% this year, a
worrying trend for the Regional Government. That's
while the Police and Security forces in Kurdistan
make much of their ability to maintain law and order
whereas in other parts of Iraq anarchy reigns.
However, Barham Wali, was days away from going to
university, but his dream was cut short. The youth
was shot dead while he was hanging out with some of
his friends on a corner of their neighborhood in
Said Sadq, 53 km east of Sulaimaniyah.
A friend of Wali had thrown a coke can which had
accidentally hit a passing car. Dara, the driver,
stopped and despite the fact Wali and his friends
apologized, pulled a gun on the group and started
shooting at the group. Wali immediately died at the
scene.
Wali was murdered this month; around the same period
another young person was also found dead in
Sulaimaniyah. According to his family he had told
them that he would go on a picnic with some of his
friends, but he never retuned home. After 2 days
they found his body in a cemetery.
Sulaimaniyah Police directorate statistics indicates
that the murder rate had risen by 27% compared to
the same period last year. In the first six months
in 2005, 33 people had been murdered, but this year
it has increased to 42 cases.
Noosaiba Hussein, 28, sociologist, said that
weakening the social structures and an increase in
selfishness and egotistical behavior are of the main
factors for increase of murder cases. She also added
"people don't trust the government to punish the
murderers."
English to be studied in Erbil in the first year
of primary school
In Kurdistan Region, pupils will study English as
well as Kurdish in the first year of school.
Education- The pupils were showing their interest in
the classroom and every single one could recognize
at least a letter or a word in English. Avin and
Hoshyar are two pupils, who are very happy that they
have the opportunity to study English in their first
year of school. However, Kawa and Jwana are two
pupils in year five and six, who wish that they
studied English in their first year too.
This year, for the first time, according to a
decision by the Ministry of Education in Kurdistan
Region, pupils will study English as well as Kurdish
in the first year of school. Previously, schools had
only taught English from year three, and before that
from year five.
To many, the Region's opening to the world following
the 2003 war, and rapid growth on social and
economic levels have necessitated learning the
English language which is the most commonly used
language in the world..
Mr Jaafer the teacher in the Asudaee primary school
in Erbil teaches year one and year two. He agreed
with the decision and said "the pupils were very
glad about this decision and they showed their
interest to learn English. I do not think that there
are pupils who do not want to learn English."
However, studying English does not automatically
mean that the children will be able to speak fluent
English. To address this issue, teachers will be
encouraged to talk to students in English during
class.
Many fear that lack of efficient and energetic
teachers in primary schools could discourage
students at the early ages to learn the language.
Mrs Nask Abdulkarim an English teacher of year five
and six said: "the first year teacher in primary
school should be a teacher with enthusiasm, who is
young and loves children, because if the pupils
dislike their teacher, they will probably hate the
subject as well."
Before undertaking this decision the education
authorities in Erbil provided special teacher
training for the teachers. Mrs Saadat, the teacher
in Ayuby primary school had criticism about the
period of the training and she asked for more.
Another problem with this decision is that the
children will not receive English textbooks from
which to learn. Mr Kamaran, who has taught Arabic in
the past, said: "English books have not been
provided for pupils. As a teacher, however, I have a
book."
Despite that, educational programmers defend the
decision and are optimistic it will bear fruits.
"This decision has been discussed by the
professionals and the result was introducing the
English language at primary school, especially for
children who have the capacity and can learn two
languages at the same time," said Pakiza Telaat the
head of Education Department in Erbil
She admitted that there is a deficiency and promised
to provide more training for teachers in the future.
She added that the reason for not providing books
for all pupils was because "the books were published
outside the country." But the books are underway.
"We will get books from Lebanon by lorries and we
will give them out to pupils as soon as possible,"
Telaat promised.
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