DUBAI, UAE - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Saturday inaugurated 790 new model schools across the country, a major milestone in the government’s efforts to reduce overcrowding and eliminate triple-shift schedules.

The schools, built as part of the Iraqi-Chinese framework agreement, are part of a 1,000-school project designed to address longstanding infrastructure challenges in the education sector.

Speaking during the virtual inauguration, Sudani said the remaining 210 schools are expected to be completed within two months.

“These schools, constructed with modern and model designs, will play a vital role in solving the problems of overcrowding and triple-shift schedules,” Sudani said. “When this government assumed responsibility for the project, progress stood at just 18 percent. We made it a priority, ensuring implementation with high-quality standards and equitable geographic distribution.”

Sudani also announced plans to address Iraq’s broader school shortage through contracts under the Iraq Development Fund. These agreements, expected to be signed soon, will enable the private sector to build 400 additional schools in Baghdad and other provinces. These schools will also be maintained under the contracts’ terms.

“The shortage of schools exceeds 8,000, and we are determined to address this deficit through long-term solutions,” Sudani added, emphasizing the government’s focus on infrastructure and teacher development as part of a broader education reform program.

Education Minister Ibrahim Namis al-Jubouri praised the initiative, noting that the new schools were designed to meet academic and educational standards while addressing critical challenges.

“These schools were built according to the best standards and will help eliminate triple-shift schedules, alleviate overcrowding, and replace portable and mud-built schools,” Jubouri said.

The minister also highlighted the Ministry of Education’s Project No. 1, which is nearing completion and will deliver additional new schools in the coming months.

The 1,000 Model Schools Project was originally launched by former Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in June 2022 as part of the Iraqi-Chinese framework agreement. It represents a critical effort to address Iraq’s chronic shortage of suitable school buildings and improve the nation’s educational infrastructure.

The initiative includes four standardized school designs approved by the Higher Committee for School Construction. These designs feature varying capacities to meet the specific needs of Iraq’s diverse regions. Schools were allocated to provinces based on population density and the number of unsuitable or unsafe school facilities.

Each school is equipped with modern infrastructure, including electrical systems, fire safety and early warning systems, mechanical systems, internet connectivity, and a sound system. The project aims to replace outdated and makeshift facilities, such as mud-built and portable schools, while reducing overcrowding and eliminating the need for triple-shift schedules.