Across Iraq, a staggering number of students face a basic but critical hurdle: access to clean water in schools. Estimates indicate that more than 7.25 million Iraqi children are affected by water shortages as the country’s school infrastructure, damaged and underfunded since the 2003 invasion, has not been rebuilt to meet current needs. In many communities, students must contend with intermittent water services, limited hygiene facilities, and environments that hinder effective learning.
Reports drawn from international and national sources highlight the gravity of the situation. In some districts, about half of the schools lack a reliable water source, making it difficult to maintain proper hygiene and sanitary conditions for students and staff. The gaps extend beyond daily cleanliness to public health, as vaccination rates among children hover at concerning levels. Approximately a quarter of Iraqi children do not receive the vaccines recommended for their age group, elevating the risk of illness in schools and surrounding communities. The broader implications are clear: without reliable water and vaccination coverage, disease spreads more easily, attendance drops, and educational outcomes suffer.
Population growth compounds the challenge, with figures from the Iraqi Ministry of Education indicating roughly 10,000 shortages of educational facilities. In response, many teachers have adopted multi-shift schedules to accommodate the mounting number of students while trying to keep classrooms operational. This approach, though practical in the short term, can strain educators, reduce individualized attention, and hamper the overall quality of instruction. The situation paints a stark picture of how essential water, clinic-type health services, and sufficient school capacity are to safeguarding children’s health and ensuring consistent schooling in Iraq, both now and in the future.