First in A Series: Progress In Iraq

This is the first of many regular reports coming from the Multinational Force in Iraq. We are daily bombarded with negative images. Still, there ARE good things being accomplished. Turn on your nightly news and you rarely hear about those. The perception needs to change and the positive that is occuring is what will be emphasized.

Two schools reopen in Kirkuk

Saturday, 14 October 2006
BAGHDAD — Iraqi Government officials and Coalition Force members celebrated the reopening of two schools in Kirkuk Oct. 12. The renovations were part of a broader civil affairs program and will serve as a model for other area schools.
Musalla Secondary School students proudly hung their country and school flags on the newly-painted walls of their refurbished school in preparation for a ceremony attended by local officials.
The secondary school and a city elementary school are the first of six renovations under the program, which includes construction of new science labs with computers. Students can also look forward to new school supplies donated from the U.S., and other essential materials such as computer desks provided by a nongovernmental agency.
“These schools were developed to set the example for Kirkuk,” said Maj. Paul Beekman, team chief, 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion. “The Board of Education can go in and look at the schools and the equipment, and emulate it throughout the region.”
The Commander’s Emergency Response Program funds the plan and was officially authorized by congress. Officials contracted local Iraqis to complete the work during the summer while students were out of school.
Students and teachers alike are praising the new developments and anticipate heavy use of the science lab and other equipment.
“The school looks brand new and the environment will enable the students to be more focused,” said a science teacher through an interpreter. “The lab is a big improvement, allowing the students to learn hands-on.”
Musalla students were previously confined to small classrooms which limited the science projects they could work on. The new lab was designed with bigger rooms so that more students can get involved, Beekman said.
Col. Patrick T. Stackpole, commander, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, joined the governor of Kirkuk and local education officials at the ceremony marking the reopening of the schools.
Col. Stackpole told students assembled in front of him they are their country’s greatest resource.
“This is the best day I’ve had in Iraq,” he said. “Being the future of Iraq, take this opportunity and I hope to see some of you up here (on stage) someday.”
(Courtesy of 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
In other developments throughout Iraq:
A tip from a concerned Iraqi citizen led Iraqi policemen to a vehicle-borne improvised-explosive device in Baghdad’s Al-Bayaa district Wednesday afternoon.
Iraqi Security Force defeated a complex attack in Mosul Thursday night with the aid of ground Forces.