“The private education sector has caused many problems in Iraq, including the low level of education and increased unemployment due to random establishment of colleges without a feasibility study. … Many private universities have deceived students and admitted them without being accredited, and now their [students'] future is uncertain, even though they have spent millions of dinars on their education," Education Committee recorder Abir al-Hussein told Al-Monitor.
“The education level of most graduates of the private education sector is weak and not up to the standards of the degrees they hold. This is because it is easy to receive these degrees — private education students receive [undeserved] high grades. … [Then they] face competition from public education students, who have a higher education level."
She added, “The executive and legislative parties are currently seeking to strengthen the education system so it is recognized internationally, after having suffered a setback in recent years.”
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's website, "During [the] 1980s, the Iraqi education system was recognized as one of the most developed systems in the Arab states."
In addition to corruption and political manipulation, the system also suffers from governmental neglect. For 2017, the government has allocated only $1.9 billion to the education sector; last year that figure was $2.1 billion. No private university programs are recognized internationally. The concerned parties thus will be required to shut down the worst programs and form partnerships and exchange programs with foreign universities.
They will also have to properly equip the universities and urge students and teachers alike to publish academic research papers in international journals.
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