More About Schools
Sunday, June 20, 2004
Talking about my school will never end. I am hoping it'll get better as the holiday ends. Yet, I will continue talking about how it was to make sure that you know how much we fight to get knowledge.
Before the war, Our school used to study with free and brand new books, I admit, the information in it is very old- the newest book in the references goes back to 1980. Now, and because the printers couldn't work during the war, we use very old and unusable books, full of the thoughts of their previous owners who had to study during the war. I don't know who to blame. Some schools received new books and we were promised to receive them too but we didn't.
Although my school is supposed to be special (Hint: its name is Al-Mutamaziezat school: For special girls). A teacher once told us that the only thing that shows us as special girls is the small small sign in front of the school that says "Al-Mutamaiezat school". We have no labs, we've never done an experiment in either Chemistry or Physics, we never used the sound room (Even before it was looted since it needed electricity and maintenance), which is by the way the case with almost all the schools in Mosul, if not all Iraq.
The teachers are supposed to be good, yet it amazes me how we -the students, are better than them at times, whether in English, computer, chemistry.. This saddens me, since my purpose in going to school is to get good knowledge.
One bad teacher changes the face of a generation, I believe. If our teachers do not care about educating themselves properly, why should we? If the teacher tells us that there's no way to understand this subject and that the only way to succeed is to memorize, what should we grow up to be? (With all due respect to some of the teachers who truly deserve all my appretiation).
One thing you should know about education in Iraq is that it is free, which is a very good thing since everyone with a will can really find a way. Even books are free.
I wish that one day, I can get my kids into a school in Iraq where they can acquire knowledge that will prepare them to be the scientists of the future. There are good private primary schools in Baghdad, yet there aren't any in Mosul, and there aren't any private secondary schools anywhere in Iraq as far as I know.
Technorati Tags: school, mosul, iraq, education, teacher, knowledge
Before the war, Our school used to study with free and brand new books, I admit, the information in it is very old- the newest book in the references goes back to 1980. Now, and because the printers couldn't work during the war, we use very old and unusable books, full of the thoughts of their previous owners who had to study during the war. I don't know who to blame. Some schools received new books and we were promised to receive them too but we didn't.
Although my school is supposed to be special (Hint: its name is Al-Mutamaziezat school: For special girls). A teacher once told us that the only thing that shows us as special girls is the small small sign in front of the school that says "Al-Mutamaiezat school". We have no labs, we've never done an experiment in either Chemistry or Physics, we never used the sound room (Even before it was looted since it needed electricity and maintenance), which is by the way the case with almost all the schools in Mosul, if not all Iraq.
The teachers are supposed to be good, yet it amazes me how we -the students, are better than them at times, whether in English, computer, chemistry.. This saddens me, since my purpose in going to school is to get good knowledge.
One bad teacher changes the face of a generation, I believe. If our teachers do not care about educating themselves properly, why should we? If the teacher tells us that there's no way to understand this subject and that the only way to succeed is to memorize, what should we grow up to be? (With all due respect to some of the teachers who truly deserve all my appretiation).
One thing you should know about education in Iraq is that it is free, which is a very good thing since everyone with a will can really find a way. Even books are free.
I wish that one day, I can get my kids into a school in Iraq where they can acquire knowledge that will prepare them to be the scientists of the future. There are good private primary schools in Baghdad, yet there aren't any in Mosul, and there aren't any private secondary schools anywhere in Iraq as far as I know.
Technorati Tags: school, mosul, iraq, education, teacher, knowledge
posted by Najma at 6:54 PM, | 
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dear Najima, what is happening in Mosul today? I've seen reports on the news of the bombings and I hope you and your family are safe. be well...
Dear lorna,
thanks for caring, I and my family are fine, unlike many others. You're right, yesterday,we've heard the sounds of seven explosions, one hundred people died as the press said, and about two hundred and sixty got injured.It's a tragedy, there's a curfew every day starting from yesterday from 8PM till 8AM.
My sister is a doctor, and she said that the situation in the hospital is unbelievable, she had to sleep in the hospital, and people were coming to the hospital asking about lost relatives.
thanks for caring, I and my family are fine, unlike many others. You're right, yesterday,we've heard the sounds of seven explosions, one hundred people died as the press said, and about two hundred and sixty got injured.It's a tragedy, there's a curfew every day starting from yesterday from 8PM till 8AM.
My sister is a doctor, and she said that the situation in the hospital is unbelievable, she had to sleep in the hospital, and people were coming to the hospital asking about lost relatives.
Dear Najma
I am an Iraqi just like you but years ago I was one of the few Iraqis who made it out side Iraq I am in Holland now I follow your blog so please write more and try to write the good news also.
Ma'a Al-salama my dear
I am an Iraqi just like you but years ago I was one of the few Iraqis who made it out side Iraq I am in Holland now I follow your blog so please write more and try to write the good news also.
Ma'a Al-salama my dear
Dear Najima
I LOVE your blog, keep writing!!!
I am 14 years old, I was born in Morocco , my parents moved to the USA 6 years ago , I cannot imagine what you are going through with the chaos and the lack of security.
I want you to stay safe, have fun during your vacation and I hope by the time you go back to school things settle down a bit.
:)
Latif
New York City-USA
I LOVE your blog, keep writing!!!
I am 14 years old, I was born in Morocco , my parents moved to the USA 6 years ago , I cannot imagine what you are going through with the chaos and the lack of security.
I want you to stay safe, have fun during your vacation and I hope by the time you go back to school things settle down a bit.
:)
Latif
New York City-USA
Sorry
I mispelled your name.
Latif
I mispelled your name.
Latif
-Dear ladybird,
I'll try to write good news but there isn't many, I hope things will get better after the Iraqi government handled the authority. If you want more informations about the situation in Iraq you may visit this site:
thoughts04.blogspot.com
It's great, and it contains good news too :-)
-Dear Latif,
Thanks alot, I hope you'll have fun too.
thank you both very much
I'll try to write good news but there isn't many, I hope things will get better after the Iraqi government handled the authority. If you want more informations about the situation in Iraq you may visit this site:
thoughts04.blogspot.com
It's great, and it contains good news too :-)
-Dear Latif,
Thanks alot, I hope you'll have fun too.
thank you both very much
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Najma,
Thanks for responding to my e-mail!
Do you blog from an internet cafe (not sure what they're called there), and is it expensive? Also, do your friends know that you blog and do they have any interest in it?
fletch!
Thanks for responding to my e-mail!
Do you blog from an internet cafe (not sure what they're called there), and is it expensive? Also, do your friends know that you blog and do they have any interest in it?
fletch!
Hi there
I am also an Iraqi Blogger my link is http://nabilsblog.blogspot.com
so if you like to talk my email is on the right of my blog
by the way my name is Nabil from Baghdad... it will be good to talk to you
I am also an Iraqi Blogger my link is http://nabilsblog.blogspot.com
so if you like to talk my email is on the right of my blog
by the way my name is Nabil from Baghdad... it will be good to talk to you
Dear Najma,
Glad to see another Iraqi blogger. I'm an Iraqi blogger too. I hope you the best in the coming years. I understand life is hard these days. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day :-)
Glad to see another Iraqi blogger. I'm an Iraqi blogger too. I hope you the best in the coming years. I understand life is hard these days. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day :-)
Does your school have a Web site to recieve donations of school supplies, computers and money for repairs?
Americans have big hearts and some can afford to share their love. We just need to know how to donate and get the things you need to your school. If you would put a link on your page, it would help.
Hang in there kiddo,
Americans have big hearts and some can afford to share their love. We just need to know how to donate and get the things you need to your school. If you would put a link on your page, it would help.
Hang in there kiddo,
Hi Najima,
Thank you for starting your blog. All opinions are interesting if they are REAL, even from a young 16-year old girl. I'm a 62-year old man in New York, and I am saddened by the poor condition of your school.
Have you written a letter to any Coalition Authority forces in the Mosul area? I keep hearing that they help out schools and hospitals by refurbishing them and getting supplies to them.
They might be able to help your school, but first they have to find out that you exist. Once they know that you exist, and they learn that your words go out to the entire world in your blog, they might be willing to help your school.
Take a chance. Try it. Write a letter. As the famous hockey player Wayne Gretzky once said, "The shot you miss 100% is the shot you never take."
Good luck and best wishes.
Thank you for starting your blog. All opinions are interesting if they are REAL, even from a young 16-year old girl. I'm a 62-year old man in New York, and I am saddened by the poor condition of your school.
Have you written a letter to any Coalition Authority forces in the Mosul area? I keep hearing that they help out schools and hospitals by refurbishing them and getting supplies to them.
They might be able to help your school, but first they have to find out that you exist. Once they know that you exist, and they learn that your words go out to the entire world in your blog, they might be willing to help your school.
Take a chance. Try it. Write a letter. As the famous hockey player Wayne Gretzky once said, "The shot you miss 100% is the shot you never take."
Good luck and best wishes.
Dear Najma
Thanks for the reply.
Congratulations on the good news about the handing of sovereignty.
Now comes the hard part, all Iraqis need to come together and defeat the terrorists.
One day, I will visit IRAQ and I will make sure I visit Mosul .
You should create a website for your school; you can take pictures of students and teachers and put them out.
This is my school
http://www.mineola.k12.ny.us/mineolaweb/
Latif
New York-USA
Thanks for the reply.
Congratulations on the good news about the handing of sovereignty.
Now comes the hard part, all Iraqis need to come together and defeat the terrorists.
One day, I will visit IRAQ and I will make sure I visit Mosul .
You should create a website for your school; you can take pictures of students and teachers and put them out.
This is my school
http://www.mineola.k12.ny.us/mineolaweb/
Latif
New York-USA
English is confusing:
Scale is pronounced SKale
Scarf is pronounced SKarf
but
science is pronounced SSience
scene is pronounced SSeen (just like seen)
finally
scilicent is pronounced SSilicent OR SKilicent
if you ever wonder, try
http://dictionary.com
type in the word, and it will tell how to pronounce it
more information about pronouncing words in English:
http://esl.about.com/od/speakingenglish/
here's a site that has audio files if your computer has speakers you can hear words
http://www.spokenamericanenglish.com/
there are probably more sites like that
Hope this helps!
Scale is pronounced SKale
Scarf is pronounced SKarf
but
science is pronounced SSience
scene is pronounced SSeen (just like seen)
finally
scilicent is pronounced SSilicent OR SKilicent
if you ever wonder, try
http://dictionary.com
type in the word, and it will tell how to pronounce it
more information about pronouncing words in English:
http://esl.about.com/od/speakingenglish/
here's a site that has audio files if your computer has speakers you can hear words
http://www.spokenamericanenglish.com/
there are probably more sites like that
Hope this helps!
i just sent an excerpt from your blog to my senators in florida encouraging them to take some action. do you or anyone else know which division of the army is operating in mosul right now? i think that would be the fastest way to get them some aid.
keep writing!
-henry
keep writing!
-henry
Najma,
I have written to Jim Hake at Spirit of America (www.spiritofamerica.net) and told him about you and your blog. I am hopeful that he will be able to do something to help take care of your school. I would suggest you write to him as well. Send an email to staff@spiritofamerica.net, and explain the situation with the water, the trash in your schoolyard, and the missing computers. Someone else mentioned in your comments that many Americans would like to help. This is very true.
It is good that you are blogging. Please continue -- it is very important that people around the world hear what you have to say -- good news and bad news. I am grateful that you are sharing your thoughts on what is happening with you and your school.
By the way, I am a professional computer programmer, and I still use BASIC. It is old, but it is a very common language, and it is a good language to know.
I wish you all the best Najma!
John
Orlando, Florida, USA
I have written to Jim Hake at Spirit of America (www.spiritofamerica.net) and told him about you and your blog. I am hopeful that he will be able to do something to help take care of your school. I would suggest you write to him as well. Send an email to staff@spiritofamerica.net, and explain the situation with the water, the trash in your schoolyard, and the missing computers. Someone else mentioned in your comments that many Americans would like to help. This is very true.
It is good that you are blogging. Please continue -- it is very important that people around the world hear what you have to say -- good news and bad news. I am grateful that you are sharing your thoughts on what is happening with you and your school.
By the way, I am a professional computer programmer, and I still use BASIC. It is old, but it is a very common language, and it is a good language to know.
I wish you all the best Najma!
John
Orlando, Florida, USA
Najma, I emailed my internet friend Marc Danziger at Spirit of America, and I'm sure they'll be able to do something for your school.
One question I have -- how did you find out about blogging, and what blogs do you read?
Take care, and stay safe!
One question I have -- how did you find out about blogging, and what blogs do you read?
Take care, and stay safe!
One more thing -- maybe these people can help as well!
I just found your blog on recommendation from Fayrouz from Dallas. I enjoyed reading it. You would be amazed how many "english speaking" people can barely speak the language themselves.
Look forward to hearing from you more. Stay safe.
Look forward to hearing from you more. Stay safe.
Thank you and all the other Iraqi bloggers for taking the time to let us know what is happening in Iraq. I learn more from reading the Iraqi blogs than I do reading the news.
Please keep posting both text and pictures so we can keep up with what is going on.
PS:
Your English is very good.
Please keep posting both text and pictures so we can keep up with what is going on.
PS:
Your English is very good.
Salaam Najma
Nice to know that there is a courageous little girl in Mosul letting the world know how the situation is overthere. What is your ambition? I am only guessing that you'd love to be a doctor or teacher. Anyway, in terms of attitude, are how does your friends behave (compared to before the war)? Are they kind of nasty?
Never give up hope even in the most difficult situation. May Allah be with you and all your families all the way through.
Faisal
Nice to know that there is a courageous little girl in Mosul letting the world know how the situation is overthere. What is your ambition? I am only guessing that you'd love to be a doctor or teacher. Anyway, in terms of attitude, are how does your friends behave (compared to before the war)? Are they kind of nasty?
Never give up hope even in the most difficult situation. May Allah be with you and all your families all the way through.
Faisal
just wait alittle, I'll answer your comments, it's too long so I'll be alittle late.
Najma
Najma
just curious how are conditions in mosul, have they improved since before the war
good luck
alan
good luck
alan
First of all, thanks alot to all of you,
-Dear fletch!,
It was my pleasure to respond to your email, I didn't have lots of comments like now ;-)
I don't blog from an internet cafe and yes it's called this way. I blog from my house, we have an ALN connection and it costs us 50$ amonth. By the way this 50$ presents 12.5 % of my father's salary!(he's a doctor), it's too much to pay but we have nothing to do in the holiday so we spend most of our time on the internet. In the internet cafe, you'll have to pay about 1$ for each hour we spend.
I started blogging in the holiday therefore one of my friends only knows about my blog and she doesn't have internet, so she didn't seem interested in my blog. But most of my relatives know about my blog and most of them showed a great interest in it.
-Dear Nabil,
i visited your blog and it's so interesting. How did you place your links in the slidebar???
-Dear Mark M. Hancock,
We don't have internet in the school and we never had. Also, our school doesn't have a web-site.
I'll ask about a way for you to send whatever you want to send to our school.
-Dear Latif,
thanks for your conngratulations, I really hope that the Iraqis will come together and defeat the terrorists as you said. When you decide to visit Mosul, let me know, OK?
I can't make a web-site for my school, this needs lots of work and money, we can't pay money by the internet, this service is not available in the country.
-Dear Anna,
Thanks alot, you're really helpful.
-Dear Henry,
Thanks for your help, I don't really know which division of the army is operating in Mosul, but I'll do my best to find out.
-Dear John,
Thanks, I really want to help making my school a better place.
-Dear Blake,
Thanks for mailing your friend, I really hope this will work.
I found out about blogging from Ahmad Kharrufa, (one of my relatives), who wrote Life in Baghdad (http://thoughts04.blogspot.com), and I like reading his blog and also I try to read the blogs of the people who write me comments.
-Dear Fayrouz,
You have a very interesting blog. thanks alot for your support.
-Dear Kat-Missouri,
thank you.
-Dear Faisal...,
Alsalamu alaykum, my ambition is to be an engineer, maybe computers engineer. in terms of attitude, my friends are doing the same, comparing with the way they behaved before the war, they are nasty, Very few of them are really feeling free to express themselves.
I'll try to take more pictures, thank you all.
Najma
-Dear fletch!,
It was my pleasure to respond to your email, I didn't have lots of comments like now ;-)
I don't blog from an internet cafe and yes it's called this way. I blog from my house, we have an ALN connection and it costs us 50$ amonth. By the way this 50$ presents 12.5 % of my father's salary!(he's a doctor), it's too much to pay but we have nothing to do in the holiday so we spend most of our time on the internet. In the internet cafe, you'll have to pay about 1$ for each hour we spend.
I started blogging in the holiday therefore one of my friends only knows about my blog and she doesn't have internet, so she didn't seem interested in my blog. But most of my relatives know about my blog and most of them showed a great interest in it.
-Dear Nabil,
i visited your blog and it's so interesting. How did you place your links in the slidebar???
-Dear Mark M. Hancock,
We don't have internet in the school and we never had. Also, our school doesn't have a web-site.
I'll ask about a way for you to send whatever you want to send to our school.
-Dear Latif,
thanks for your conngratulations, I really hope that the Iraqis will come together and defeat the terrorists as you said. When you decide to visit Mosul, let me know, OK?
I can't make a web-site for my school, this needs lots of work and money, we can't pay money by the internet, this service is not available in the country.
-Dear Anna,
Thanks alot, you're really helpful.
-Dear Henry,
Thanks for your help, I don't really know which division of the army is operating in Mosul, but I'll do my best to find out.
-Dear John,
Thanks, I really want to help making my school a better place.
-Dear Blake,
Thanks for mailing your friend, I really hope this will work.
I found out about blogging from Ahmad Kharrufa, (one of my relatives), who wrote Life in Baghdad (http://thoughts04.blogspot.com), and I like reading his blog and also I try to read the blogs of the people who write me comments.
-Dear Fayrouz,
You have a very interesting blog. thanks alot for your support.
-Dear Kat-Missouri,
thank you.
-Dear Faisal...,
Alsalamu alaykum, my ambition is to be an engineer, maybe computers engineer. in terms of attitude, my friends are doing the same, comparing with the way they behaved before the war, they are nasty, Very few of them are really feeling free to express themselves.
I'll try to take more pictures, thank you all.
Najma
Najma
check out other student's Blogs
http://alothman-b.tripod.com/162-53_blogs.htm
Latif
check out other student's Blogs
http://alothman-b.tripod.com/162-53_blogs.htm
Latif
Hope things get better for your school. Your command of English is very good. The links to the dictionaries should prove to be helpful. My best wishes for a very happy, productive future for you. I added your blog to my favorites list. I look forward to your future postings. Good luck to all of the good people of Iraq and to young women like you!
Latif, the link you sent me doesn't exist, maybe you misspelled it.
Pat, thank for every thing you did and for every thing you said.
Najma
Pat, thank for every thing you did and for every thing you said.
Najma
Dear Najma,
Congratulations on your blog. Can't wait to hear more.
Take care,
Bob
Congratulations on your blog. Can't wait to hear more.
Take care,
Bob
Najma
if you like to read other iraqi blogs click on this link
http://www.bloglines.com/public/iraqblogcount
I went and saw "SPIDERMAN2", It was awesome
http://spiderman.sonypictures.com/
Latif
NYC-USA
if you like to read other iraqi blogs click on this link
http://www.bloglines.com/public/iraqblogcount
I went and saw "SPIDERMAN2", It was awesome
http://spiderman.sonypictures.com/
Latif
NYC-USA
Dear Bob, thank you.
Latif, thank you for this site, I added my self in it :)
We can't see such new movies, because cinemas are too bangerous to visit, it looks dirty and it's full of boys. I've seen SPIDERMAN1 on TV and I liked it very much. Have fun....
Latif, thank you for this site, I added my self in it :)
We can't see such new movies, because cinemas are too bangerous to visit, it looks dirty and it's full of boys. I've seen SPIDERMAN1 on TV and I liked it very much. Have fun....
English is extremely difficult for someone who isn't around English speakers all the time. We import words from a huge number of languages.
About 40% of English comes from Latin and French. Words borrowed from Old Norse are about 2% of the language, but we tend to use them far more than words coming from Latin or French.
Then of course we have Arabic imports (sugar, ghoul, cipher, etc.). We use Greek for most scientific terms. German, Spanish, Japanese (very few like tsunami, tycoon and honcho) and even Tagalog (boondocks) are sources of words.
Then there are accents. There are so many accents that no matter how bad your pronunciation is, if you speak slowly and repeat yourself, people in the larger cities in the US will understand you just fine.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes. We all make them. It is darn near impossible not to. English is a tough language.
About 40% of English comes from Latin and French. Words borrowed from Old Norse are about 2% of the language, but we tend to use them far more than words coming from Latin or French.
Then of course we have Arabic imports (sugar, ghoul, cipher, etc.). We use Greek for most scientific terms. German, Spanish, Japanese (very few like tsunami, tycoon and honcho) and even Tagalog (boondocks) are sources of words.
Then there are accents. There are so many accents that no matter how bad your pronunciation is, if you speak slowly and repeat yourself, people in the larger cities in the US will understand you just fine.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes. We all make them. It is darn near impossible not to. English is a tough language.