'Reading is the Foundation of education'

Diyala launches literacy initiative as post-pandemic gaps widen

2024-09-02 | 17:16

DIYALA — The Directorate of Education in Diyala has raised concerns over declining reading and writing skills among primary school students, attributing the issue to challenges posed in recent years, particularly the shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the directorate has launched an initiative led by volunteer teachers in Khalis district and other areas, including Jalawla and Baqubah, to support students struggling with literacy and comprehension skills.

Hasan Nameq, the director of educational supervision in Diyala, told 964media, “The initiative, ‘Reading is the Foundation of Education,’ was launched with the approval of the Directorate of Education in Diyala, aiming to provide free lessons from grades one to five to strengthen our children’s reading and writing abilities.”

Several qualified teachers volunteered to conduct these free lessons, marking the first such initiative in the area. According to Nameq, this effort aligns with the government’s broader goals to eliminate corruption, ensure fairness, and deliver high-quality educational services to reduce the prevalence of private tutoring.

Mohammed Sadeq Jarad, principal of Al-Samawal School and leader of the initiative in Khalis, also highlighted the urgency of the situation. “This initiative was launched to address many existing problems in our schools, including weak reading and writing skills, which were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning,” Jarad said.

Jarad expressed hope that the initiative would be expanded to more areas across Iraq, noting the strong cooperation from both parents and students. “So far, we have received 280 students, and the numbers are increasing,” he added.

This issue is not unique to Iraq; it reflects a global phenomenon where many students have fallen behind in basic literacy due to prolonged school closures and the challenges of remote learning during the pandemic.

Globally, the shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional education systems, leaving many students, particularly in primary grades, struggling with foundational skills like reading and writing. A lack of access to technology, insufficient support at home, and the abrupt transition to remote education exacerbated these challenges, particularly in low-income regions.