ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's communications ministry announced on Wednesday that the government has provided free internet service to more than 2,500 schools in Baghdad and other provinces, marking a major step in a nationwide digital transformation program, state media reported.
“We have so far provided approximately 2,500 schools with free internet service via high-speed fiber optic cables, including more than 550 schools in the Karkh area [western Baghdad] and over 350 schools in the Rusafa area [eastern Baghdad],” Iraqi Communications Minister Hiyam al-Yasiri said, as cited by the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA).
Yasiri described the initiative as a key component of the government’s digital transformation agenda and a “top priority for the current administration.”
“Internet access in schools is currently available until 3:00 p.m., but since some schools operate in two shifts, I will issue instructions to extend the service until the end of the second shift,” she added, noting that the ministry is also working to enhance connectivity in areas where service remains weak.
The minister further emphasized that efforts are underway to expand free internet access to all schools across Iraq, highlighting that the ministry is also playing a central role in the national project to construct 1,000 “state-of-the-art” schools in coordination with the Iraqi education ministry.
The Iraqi communications ministry elaborated that it is “responsible for developing the [technological] infrastructure for these schools,” which will feature “smart boards, e-learning systems, and modern educational technologies,” INA said.
The 1,000 model schools project was launched in mid-2022, with construction led by the Chinese state-owned company PowerChina across all Iraqi provinces.
“We have so far provided approximately 2,500 schools with free internet service via high-speed fiber optic cables, including more than 550 schools in the Karkh area [western Baghdad] and over 350 schools in the Rusafa area [eastern Baghdad],” Iraqi Communications Minister Hiyam al-Yasiri said, as cited by the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA).
Yasiri described the initiative as a key component of the government’s digital transformation agenda and a “top priority for the current administration.”
“Internet access in schools is currently available until 3:00 p.m., but since some schools operate in two shifts, I will issue instructions to extend the service until the end of the second shift,” she added, noting that the ministry is also working to enhance connectivity in areas where service remains weak.
The minister further emphasized that efforts are underway to expand free internet access to all schools across Iraq, highlighting that the ministry is also playing a central role in the national project to construct 1,000 “state-of-the-art” schools in coordination with the Iraqi education ministry.
The Iraqi communications ministry elaborated that it is “responsible for developing the [technological] infrastructure for these schools,” which will feature “smart boards, e-learning systems, and modern educational technologies,” INA said.
The 1,000 model schools project was launched in mid-2022, with construction led by the Chinese state-owned company PowerChina across all Iraqi provinces.
Comments
Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.
To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.
We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.
Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.
Post a comment