Multi-National Division – Baghdad Release

BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers joined local leaders to celebrate the completion of $600,000 in renovations to the Salman Pak Industrial School here, March 24.

The school was nearly destroyed during insurgent-led attacks at the height of sectarian violence here in 2006-2007.

Eight courses will be available for up to 700 students to learn sewing, generator maintenance, welding, automotive repair, plumbing, electrical installation, masonry and carpentry. The school also received new equipment for a women’s sewing room, a metal working section and a computer room.

The Ministry of Education will maintain the building grounds, hire and retain qualified teachers for the school, and provide a full-time guard for the school.

“This school has a 30-year history and always represented a chance for learning and helping the youth of the Mada’in progress, but because of the violence in the area after the war it stopped,” said Qassi Mrweh, Mada’in Qada Council chairman.

According to Mrweh, the improved security situation here enabled contractors to rebuild the industrial school.

“This is an excellent example of cooperation between Coalition forces and our Iraqi counter parts in the Mada’in Qada,” said Christopher Crowley, mission director, USAID/Iraq.

Local leaders, partnered with MND-B Soldiers, continue to work to bring Salman Pak to its former glory days when the city was known for the Ctesiphon Arch and city amusement park and not as a battle ground of sectarian fighting.