The Iraqi Cabinet has approved funding to furnish 1,000 model schools under the Iraq-China Framework Agreement, ensuring the project’s progress.
Key funding decisions include:
- Regional Petrodollars: Funds from the petrodollar allocations of Basra, Maysan, Kirkuk, and Wasit will fully cover furnishing costs in these provinces. Additional funds for other provinces, totalling 113.92 billion dinars, will be transferred to the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.
- Emergency Reserve: An additional 17.43 billion dinars from Iraq’s emergency reserve will address remaining costs for other provinces.
- Iraq-Turkey Agreement (BTA): Approximately $75 million from the agreement will finance school furniture procurement through coordination with Turkish authorities.
- Contracting Flexibility: The General Secretariat is authorised to bypass standard government contracting procedures and directly invite offers, contingent on available financial allocations.
- Smart School Equipment: 15 billion dinars from the emergency reserve will support furnishing 50 smart schools, each with 24 classrooms, under streamlined contracting rules.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office, these measures underscore the government’s commitment to improving educational infrastructure nationwide.
(Source: Media Office of the Prime Minister)
