Strengthening School Management to Enhance Children’s Learning Environments in Iraq
Through EMIS, school management in Iraq is transforming to support safer, more organized learning environments for children
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- العربية
Creating Better Learning Environments for Children
For children across Iraq, a positive school experience begins with feeling safe, supported and valued. When schools are well managed, organized and responsive, children are better able to learn, participate and thrive. Strengthening education systems is therefore not an abstract technical exercise; it directly shapes the quality of children’s everyday lives at school.
Through the Education Management Information System (EMIS), schools in Iraq are transitioning from paper-based administration to more structured, reliable and transparent systems. This shift is helping education authorities, school leaders and teachers manage data more efficiently, improve planning and better support children’s learning environments.
With funding from the European Union and in close partnership with the Iraqi Ministry of Education and UNESCO, UNICEF is supporting the implementation of EMIS as part of national efforts to strengthen education systems and improve service delivery. As of December 2025, EMIS has been implemented in 16,675 schools across Iraq, nearly half of which have been directly supported by UNICEF.
From paper-based records to structured school management
In Al-Zubair district in Basra Governorate, Murtadha, a university lecturer specializing in English language, describes the transition to digital systems as a major turning point for schools. Attendance records, student follow-up, teacher management and school needs are now organized through an electronic system rather than handwritten registers.
This approach enables education authorities to identify gaps and respond more efficiently to schools’ needs while strengthening transparency and consistency across the education system.
“By connecting schools directly with education authorities, EMIS supports better planning and more effective decision-making.”
Supporting teachers and improving classroom follow-up
At Al-Daqqaq School, Bayader, a teacher, explains how training on EMIS has positively influenced daily schoolwork. Better-organized records and easier access to up-to-date school data have reduced administrative workloads.
With UNICEF's direct support, more than 14,000 teachers and school staff have been trained on EMIS nationwide and around 50 per cent of them are women.
“The digital system has made it much easier to access students’ information and results, saving time and effort for teachers.”
What Children Say About Their Schools
I like my school. The teachers always help us when we don’t understand.
School is a nice place. I meet my friends and learn new things.
I feel comfortable at school and everything feels organized.
The teachers are kind and always encourage us to do well.
Investing in systems, investing in children
Today, an estimated two million children are enrolled in schools across Iraq where EMIS is available.
By supporting EMIS, UNICEF and partners are strengthening the foundations of a more resilient education system, enabling schools and authorities to better plan, manage and deliver education services for children in Iraq.
