Students in Najaf hold newly distributed study guides provided for free by volunteer teachers as part of an initiative to support public school learners.
Najaf teacher turns grief into generosity with free study guides
NAJAF — A mathematics teacher in Najaf has turned a personal loss into a volunteer project that now reaches hundreds of students, handing out free study guides at school gates to support public-school learners who struggle with crowded classrooms and long curricula.
Adnan Al-Hasnawi said the effort began as “a small effort to support students and encourage them to achieve high grades, especially public school students.” He prepared 250 copies of a workbook containing questions and final answers in a format familiar to Iraqi students, where teachers summarize textbooks or convert material into review sheets. Such guides are usually sold, but he distributes his at no cost in honor of his late mother.
“With the success of the experience, the initiative expanded gradually,” he said, adding that the most recent round reached 840 copies. Baghdad English teacher Sajad Al-Obaidi contributed by providing 100 free guides.
Families across Iraq say public schools, though free, struggle with overcrowded classes and limited resources, making it difficult for students to cover full curricula — especially in years with frequent holidays. Al-Hasnawi said he arranged the material to help students use their time more efficiently. Each guide includes a barcode that links to YouTube explanations. “The guides were designed as ongoing charity for the soul of my late mother and to support students in different circumstances, whether financial or related to time,” he said.
He plans to expand the initiative to sixth-grade science subjects — physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, Islamic studies and Arabic — and will announce a distribution location for public-school students soon.
Students say the guides give them a clearer path through the curriculum. Mohammad Rafi said the material “is better than the book because the book needs a long time to study, while the guide helps save time and comes in a clearer sequence.” Another student, Haider Zayer, said students “prefer concentrated and clear information instead of searching through the full book, which may be confusing.”
Educational specialist Wissam Al-Muhanna said the guides can help clarify difficult lessons but should not replace the curriculum. “The textbook is a reliable scientific source,” he said. “The guide is a summary prepared by teachers and cannot be depended on as a main reference.” He added that the ministry has not recommended guides as substitutes for official material.