CENTCOM NEWS RELEASE

August 29, 2003
Release Number: 03-08-60

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COALITION BRINGS AR RAMADI SCHOOLS BACK TO LIFE

AR RAMADI, Iraq - Soldiers from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and a team from 490th Civil Affairs Detachment inspected on August 24 three schools currently under renovation in the neighborhood of Sofia.

Soldiers from 3rd ACR sponsor the renovation of the schools and arrange and pay local contractors to renovate and repair them. The schools have fallen into disrepair due to neglect and lack of maintenance. Coalition forces are repairing the schools in order to draw students back and encourage them to further their education.

Contractors are finishing the renovation of Tawheed Primary School. Reconstruction of Atamatu Secondary School is also underway. In addition to improved classrooms, renovations at Atamatu include a brand new lavatory facility. The reconstruction has been in progress for approximately one week and will be completed within the next two weeks.

The Risala Secondary School was in poor condition from years of neglect and poor materials used in its original construction. Renovation already in progress shows vast improvements. The local citizens informed Coalition forces that it was the first time in the school's history that anybody had done any repairs or renovation to the school.