Education
In Mosul, most children missed three years of education, from 2014 to 2017. Those who did stay in school were exposed to the violent and extreme ideology of Daesh—as were their teachers. As part of "Revive the Spirit of Mosul", UNESCO aimed to ensure a safe learning environment for every child.
To do this, UNESCO launched the project Prevention of Violent Extremism through Education (PVE-Education), which built skills such as critical thinking and responsible online behaviour to support resilience and peace. In partnership with the Ministry of Education, Stichting ZOA, the Iraqi Institution for Development and Ulster University, UNESCO trained 5,000 education actors (teachers, parents, principals, etc.), 60% of whom were women, for the benefit of more than 120,000 students.
With support from the European Union, UNESCO is also supporting access to quality primary and secondary education. This involves strengthening teaching capacity, providing textbooks and learning materials to school-age children, improving children’s well-being through psychosocial support and raising awareness about unexploded ordnance and mines.
Al-Ekhlas Primary School
Al-Ekhlas Primary School has been a fixture in the Old City of Mosul for nearly 60 years. During the city’s occupation by Daesh, students and families saw their dreams of a promising future crumble under the weight of war and destruction.
With support from the European Union, UNESCO rebuilt this school in February 2024. The new school provides a safe and stimulating learning environment for hundreds of children, with 12 classrooms, a library, two laboratories, one cantina, staff rooms and sports facilities, for over 400 children per shift.
Technical and vocational education and training programme
UNESCO launched a technical and vocational education and training programme for Moslawi adults, which combined general education, technology and related sciences, as well as practical professional skills.
A total of 2,800 trainees completed competency-based technical and vocational training in construction. Eighty per cent of graduates joined on-site training rehabilitating historic buildings.
"When the city was liberated, I had no more hope and I couldn’t find a job. But, in 2019, I heard about TVET and applied. A couple of months later, I got the call to join a training on concrete that lasted for 45 days. This opportunity came with a first job at Shams Alhumam company, which was also funded by UNESCO. After the completion of this contract, I was ready to find a job myself. I applied for Sami company, where I am working right now. TVET really affected my life positively."
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Rebuilding a body of heritage professionals and craftspeople
UNESCO implemented a training programme with the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) and the University of Mosul to rebuild a body of heritage professionals and craftspeople in Mosul. Fifty local professionals – architects, engineers, and archaeologists – were directly involved in assessing and documenting damage and interventions, while 70 local craftspeople undertook restoration and reconstruction work.
The first step included mapping of the most common historical materials and construction techniques used in Mosul, as well as a full assessment of craftsmanship in the city, in order to evaluate needs, especially in stone masonry, alabaster restoration, plaster, metal works and carpentry. The 2-year programme has been successfully completed, with 50 students receiving specialized, hands-on training from internationally renowned experts and graduating in 2023.
Enhancing employability for vulnerable youth
With support from the Republic of Korea, UNESCO also launched a project to enhance the employability of vulnerable youth in Nineveh. As of September 2024, 100 teachers and trainers (25% female) from Nineveh Vocational Centre and 2 vocational schools had enhanced their knowledge of quality assurance. 120 teachers and trainers (55 % female) received training on Competency-based Pedagogy and Assessment. To date, 400 youths (40% female) have benefited from vocational training courses under the project.
As part of the project, the Intissar Commercial School for Girls has been rehabilitated, and six workshops built for the Nineveh Agricultural School and Mosul Vocational Training Centre. Three Career Development Centres have also been re-established, to support graduates as they enter the labour market and search for employment.
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