Parents leading initiatives in the Iraqi schools
Published: Jul 9, 2025 Reading time: 2 minutes Share: Share an articleOne hand can’t clap, and the same goes for Education. Education doesn’t begin and end with teachers alone. A school is more than a place to learn; it’s where children build friendships, discover passions, and shape personalities. That’s why when parents and teachers come together, their impact extends far beyond the classroom.
“The Parent Teacher Association was established to assist the school and education at the school,” said Raed, deputy head of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at Tarin Basic School in Erbil, Iraq. Raed is one of 11 parents elected to the PTA. These parents have a shared goal: improving the learning environment for all students during the academic year. But they were met with challenges right from the start.
“The obstacles were the lack of a necessary playground in the school and the lack of sports and recreational facilities at the school,” Raed shared, as the group began planning activities to strengthen social ties and inclusion among students.
Instead of giving up, the parents rolled up their sleeves. With tools, paint, and great determination, they created a football field from scratch. “PTA members-built goalposts and painted the pitch lines,” he said.
Alongside helping organise the PTA and offering training, we supported Raed and the team with materials they needed, from goal frames to football kits, referee uniforms, and a championship trophy. This support was part of our Education Cannot Wait funded project, implemented in partnership with Save the Children, INTERSOS, and the Rwanga Foundation.
The new playground didn’t stay empty for long. The PTA organised a school-wide football tournament, where students competed, cheered, and came together as one. “The football championship was facilitated and supervised by PTA members. It not only strengthened the relationship among the children from different backgrounds, but also created better relationships between teachers and parents,” Raed said.
After the final whistle, the winning teams planted trees in the schoolyard, a gesture symbolising achievement and raising awareness about climate change in Iraq.
The PTA’s impact didn’t end at football. They soon organised a student art exhibition, bringing together girls and boys to showcase their creativity and vision. These events helped parents see the school through their children’s eyes, strengthening the bond between home and school.
“The PTA’s wider vision is to enhance awareness among students and teachers, strengthen school resources to support a more creative school climate, and foster a conducive learning environment. Additionally, the PTA contributes to expanding the learning spaces by supporting the construction of additional classrooms to accommodate more children,” Raed concluded.
In a place where resources are limited, the efforts of these parents remind us that true change begins with shared responsibility and that a better school is possible when the whole community joins in.
