Ninewa Governorate, particularly the city of Mosul, faced significant social and educational challenges following the period of control by the terrorist organization ISIS. During that time, the education system suffered severe damage as extremist curricula were imposed and teachers were forced to deliver content promoting violent ideology inside schools. This created an educational environment influenced by extremist ideas and resulted in deep psychological and social impacts on children, teachers, and the wider community. In response to these challenges, the Preventing Violent Extremism through Education (P.V.E-E) program was implemented to rebuild the educational environment and promote positive values among students and teachers.
The program was launched in 2019 in Mosul through cooperation between IID, the Iraqi Ministry of Education, and the Ninewa Directorate of Education, with support from international partners including UNESCO and ZOA. The first phase of the project was funded by the Government of the Netherlands, while the second phase received funding from the Government of Canada. The initial phase focused on primary schools in Mosul, targeting 180 primary schools, training 733 teachers, and reaching 29,550 primary school students through educational and awareness activities implemented within schools.
The program adopted a modern educational approach designed to promote values of tolerance, cooperation, critical thinking, and citizenship while encouraging students to reject violence and extremist ideas. The activities also included non-formal learning approaches that allowed students to express their feelings and needs while strengthening their communication and dialogue skills. These activities contributed to creating a safer and more supportive school environment for children affected by conflict and instability.
Following the success of the first phase, the program expanded in 2021 to include additional geographic areas beyond Mosul. Activities were implemented in both Ninewa and Anbar governorates, particularly in the cities of Mosul, Ramadi, and Fallujah. The scope of the program was broadened to include not only teachers but also parents, school principals, and educational supervisors, recognizing that children are influenced by both the school environment and the home environment.
During 2021, a series of specialized training sessions were conducted to strengthen the capacity of teachers to address negative behaviors among students and to promote positive values inside classrooms. A total of 615 teachers were trained in Mosul, in addition to 592 teachers in Ramadi and 532 teachers in Fallujah. These training sessions equipped teachers with practical tools and interactive activities designed to promote dialogue, tolerance, and critical thinking among students.
In parallel, awareness and training sessions were organized for parents to strengthen their role in supporting positive educational values and helping children overcome the psychological and social impacts of conflict. During this period, 1,152 parents were trained in Mosul, in addition to 650 parents in Ramadi and 747 parents in Fallujah. Special attention was given to ensuring strong female participation in these sessions, with women's participation exceeding 75% in several training groups. This approach helped empower mothers to play a stronger role in supporting their children's educational and social development.
The program also included training for school principals and educational supervisors, who play a crucial role in supporting teachers and ensuring the effective application of the Preventing Violent Extremism methodology within schools. In 2021, 72 school principals and supervisors were trained in Mosul, along with 60 participants in Ramadi. These sessions focused on strengthening school leadership and ensuring a supportive learning environment for both teachers and students.
In 2022, program activities continued with an expanded scale of implementation. Training programs reached 2,500 teachers from both primary and secondary schools, along with 5,400 parents and 250 school principals and educational supervisors across Ninewa and Anbar governorates. These activities helped establish a broad network of trained educational stakeholders capable of applying educational methodologies that promote critical thinking, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.
The training programs were based on a comprehensive curriculum developed in coordination with the Iraqi Ministry of Education. The curriculum included interactive exercises, case studies, and classroom activities designed to integrate peace education and citizenship values into the learning process. Participants also received training manuals and educational materials, and communication groups were established through social media platforms to provide continuous technical support and follow-up after the training sessions.
Among the key outcomes of the program was the strengthening of schools’ capacity to address social and behavioral challenges faced by students, while improving cooperation between schools and families through the engagement of parents in the educational process. The program also contributed to increasing students’ self-confidence and encouraging them to participate actively in classroom discussions and collaborative activities. Additionally, it helped develop students’ logical thinking and communication skills.
Overall, the Preventing Violent Extremism through Education program represents an important model of educational intervention aimed at addressing the root causes of extremism through education. By investing in teachers, parents, and school leadership, the program has helped create a more supportive learning environment and strengthened the role of education in promoting long-term social stability. The experience demonstrates that strengthening educational systems and promoting positive values among children and youth can play a critical role in preventing the resurgence of extremist ideologies in communities that have experienced conflict.