Teachers Union reopens in Ramadi

Story by Lance Cpl. Casey Jones

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RAMADI, Iraq – Ramadi Mayor Latif Obaid joined Iraqi and Coalition leaders for the reopening of the Teacher’s Union building in Ramadi July 21.    .

The building will be used by the region’s education instructors to come together for meetings to discuss ideas and increase their effectiveness in teaching students.

“This building will help the teachers in Ramadi become even better at their jobs,” said Abdullah Abd Shaib, the teacher’s union manager. “It’s a place where all of the teachers can come for special activities and meetings.”

Shaib was a key proponent in reopening the building, and believes it is a necessary component to improving education in Ramadi.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Eric Jett, a team leader with Civil Affairs Detachment 2, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, said the original Teacher’s Union building suffered heavy damage during early stages of the war because insurgents frequently used it to launch attacks on the Provincial Government Center, located only a block away.

“The building was hit by quite a few bombs and bullets,” Jett added. “The Iraqi construction workers basically had to redo everything to get the structure back to a respectable condition. Now it’s essentially brand new.”

After the official ribbon cutting ceremony, guests, led by Shaib, toured the building. 

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“This building will put the teachers in the perfect position to be creative in their ways of teaching the students and become better, more advanced instructors,” Shaib said.

Many more buildings, landmarks, and a park are scheduled to open in Ramadi over the next two years.