Marah TH. Jumaah*
| Kamal Salih Kazkuz
© 2025 The authors. This article is published by IIETA and is licensed under the CC BY 4.0 license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
OPEN ACCESS
This study thoroughly investigates the existing reality of community services in the countryside of Al-Qaim district, pinpointing deficiencies in service provision and proposing scientifically grounded strategies to advance rural development. In pursuit of these objectives, a descriptive and analytical approach was employed, integrating data from field surveys, spreadsheets, and collaboration with government institutions overseeing education, healthcare, and recreational activities. The results underscore ineffective service planning, lack of cohesive development vision, and deterioration in educational offerings across both primary and secondary levels. Furthermore, healthcare provisions are lacking in infrastructure and coverage, leaving many basic needs unmet. Equally concerning is the absence of recreational services, which signifies the necessity for immediate interventions to improve community amenities. In light of these findings, the study advocates for central and local authorities to intensify efforts toward equitable development strategies aligned with demographic demands and established planning standards. Implementing such measures enhances the overall quality of life in rural regions and elevates local residents’ educational, cultural, and health standards. Ultimately, the proposed recommendations serve as a foundation for informed policy-making and targeted programs, contributing to sustainable growth and comprehensive well-being in the Al-Qaim countryside. These strategies mainly address urgent priorities.
evaluation, efficiency, community services, rural areas, development potential
Community services are one of the basic requirements of society, and their reality reflects the state of development reached by that society or country, so these services have received wide attention in most countries of the world, because their development reflects the country's ability to reach social and economic development. It has also become one of the basic criteria for measuring the development of societies, and the growing interest in services has resulted in multiple studies of different disciplines that have taken the study of services from all aspects, including (type of service, distribution method, efficiency, and development) to achieve high efficiency in providing these services to all residents without discrimination. The study of community services is of great importance as it affects various economic, social and urban aspects of rural communities in general, as the availability of services contributes to the development of rural villages and the provision of services to its residents and residents of neighboring villages, so one of the most important developmental considerations for rural development is the provision of basic services in order to raise the cultural and health level of the population and achieve the requirements of rural development. To emphasize the importance of services, especially community services, such as education, health and recreation services that all human societies need, so the topic was chosen (assessing the efficiency of community services in the countryside of Al-Qaim district and the potential for their development), to reveal the nature of the system of these services, evaluate the efficiency of their spatial distribution and reveal the strengths and weaknesses in the nature of their distribution at the level of rural villages in a manner commensurate with the size of the population in order to find appropriate solutions that contribute to the development of the reality of services, so this study will complement the geographical studies that dealt with the subject of services, which constitutes an essential axis of geographical research.
Community services are one of the basic requirements of society, and their reality reflects the state of development reached by that society or country, so these services have received wide attention in most countries of the world, because their development reflects the country's ability to reach social and economic development [1, 2]. It has also become one of the basic criteria for measuring the development of societies, and the growing interest in services has resulted in multiple studies of different disciplines that have taken the study of services from all aspects, including (type of service, distribution method, efficiency, and development) to achieve high efficiency in providing these services to all residents without discrimination [3, 4]. The study of community services is of great importance as it affects various economic, social and urban aspects of rural communities in general, as the availability of services contributes to the development of rural villages and the provision of services to its residents and residents of neighboring villages, so one of the most important developmental considerations for rural development is the provision of basic services in order to raise the cultural and health level of the population and achieve the requirements of rural development. To emphasize the importance of services, especially community services, such as education, health and recreation services that all human societies need, so the topic was chosen (assessing the efficiency of community services in the countryside of Al-Qaim district and the potential for their development). In order to reveal the nature of the system of these services, evaluate the efficiency of their spatial distribution and reveal the strengths and weaknesses in the nature of their distribution at the level of rural villages in a manner commensurate with the size of the population in order to find appropriate solutions that contribute to the development of the reality of services, so this study will complement the geographical studies that dealt with the subject of services, which constitutes an essential axis of geographical research [5, 6].
To guide the reader, the paper is organized into several sections. Following this introduction, we present the problem statement and study objectives, elaborate on the study boundaries, analyze educational, health, and recreational services in rural Al-Qaim, and then evaluate service efficiency against local planning criteria. We conclude with a summary of the key findings and recommendations for policy and practice.
Problem of the study: Community services in the countryside of Al-Qaim suffer from a decline in all levels, which affected their functional performance due to the weak government support provided to them, the lack of financial allocations necessary for their development and improvement, the absence of spatial budget in their distribution, and the lack of competent management necessary to implement development programs and plans, which in turn reflected on their low efficiency, which is a negative indicator in the field of developing and achieving the requirements of rural development [6-8].
From the main issue, secondary issues emerge, which can be summarized as follows:
1. What is the reality of community services in the rural areas of Al-Qaim district, and are they distributed fairly?
2. What extent are community services in line with local planning standards?
3. How efficient are the services provided to the population?
A significant issue encountered during the preliminary phase of the research is the scarcity of data, necessitating the collection of new data to establish a dataset and criteria based on information sourced from official entities, including governmental sectors and data gathered by the ministries of planning, education, and health. Consequently, every information in this research has been gathered through rigorous investigation and necessary preparation to ensure compatibility with official resources. Furthermore, the data gathered and utilized in this study constitutes original information that can inform future endeavors to establish new criteria and facilitate the development of models for studying other rural areas, enabling comparisons both locally and with international situations globally.
Hypothesis of the study: The adoption of proper planning and the design of appropriate development policies and programs with the selection of competent administrations in the field of developing and implementing plans and adopting the principle of social justice in their distribution in proportion to the population and local planning standards can contribute to improving and raising the efficiency of community services in the countryside [9], which in turn will be reflected in achieving the requirements of comprehensive rural development and achieving the economic, social, cultural and health well-being of the rural population.
From the main hypothesis, secondary hypotheses can be summarized as follows:
1. The low level of community services in the rural areas of Al-Qaim district, with a lack of social justice in their distribution
2. Community services are not in line with local planning standards, as there is a large discrepancy between the standards and the reality of services.
3. The low efficiency of community services in all aspects, has negatively affected their functional performance in meeting the basic requirements of the population.
Objectives of the study: The study aims to discuss the following aspects:
1. Analyzing the reality of community services in the rural area of Al-Qaim district.
2. Revealing the spatial distribution of community services.
3. Adopting local planning criteria to determine the efficiency of community services.
4. Setting future directions for the development of community services and drawing appropriate development policies to improve and develop them in proportion to the size of the population and their actual requirements for services (educational, health, and recreational) [10].
Boundaries of the study: The spatial boundaries of this study encompass the Al-Qaim district, which is administratively part of Anbar province in western Iraq. Anbar province shares its western border with the Syrian Arab Republic. Al-Qaim is bordered to the north by the southern boundary of Rummana district, to the east by Anah district, and to the south and southwest by Rutba district. The total area of the study region is 7,499 km², accounting for 4.5% of Anbar province’s total area of 137,808 km².
Figure 1. The geographical location of Al-Qaim district in Iraq and Anbar governorate
Source: [11]
The study area includes 26 villages, which are distributed linearly along both sides of the Euphrates River, following the river's course. The population of Al-Qaim district is 47,742 people [12].
Astronomically, the district is located between the latitudes 34°20'30''N - 34°27'40''N [7] (Figure 1).
The temporal boundaries of the study are defined by an evaluation of community service efficiency for the year 2025. The assessment is based on population figures and local planning standards, comparing them with the current state of community services. The goal is to develop future development plans to improve service efficiency and enhance the quality of life in rural communities [2].
Education is the cornerstone of societal progress and development, serving as the foundation for sustainable growth. The relationship between education and development is reciprocal—development requires a well-trained and qualified workforce, as well as specialized scientific expertise to drive progress. At the same time, development significantly influences education by shaping its quality, accessibility, and effectiveness.
Since education plays a crucial role in comprehensive economic and social development, development, in turn, contributes to enhancing and guiding education in ways that align with societal goals. This interdependent relationship ensures that any imbalance in educational outcomes or inefficiencies in the education system can directly impact development and vice versa [1].
2.1 Primary education
Primary education serves as the foundation of an individual’s learning journey across all societies. It plays a vital role in shaping personality, identifying talents and abilities, and preparing students for higher educational stages.
An analysis of Table 1 reveals that primary education institutions in the rural areas of Al-Qaim district total approximately 25 schools, distributed across 14 villages. However, 12 villages lack educational institutions, highlighting a disparity in the distribution of primary schools in relation to population density and educational needs (Figure 2).
Table 1. Primary education indicators in rural Al-Qaim district for 2025
|
School Location |
Number of Schools |
Number of Students |
Number of Female Students |
Number of Male Teachers |
Number of Female Teachers |
Number of Divisions School |
|
Saada |
4 |
1284 |
322 |
24 |
12 |
18 |
|
Grigib |
3 |
288 |
217 |
11 |
9 |
10 |
|
Al-Amin |
2 |
572 |
276 |
14 |
11 |
11 |
|
Albert |
2 |
140 |
109 |
8 |
9 |
7 |
|
Al-Shakakia and Al-Khasim |
2 |
298 |
128 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
|
Al-Mashaal |
2 |
201 |
218 |
11 |
10 |
8 |
|
Al-Safra |
2 |
180 |
92 |
8 |
9 |
7 |
|
Al-Rafida |
2 |
124 |
131 |
9 |
10 |
8 |
|
Al-Fayadiyah |
1 |
110 |
132 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
|
Al-Furat |
1 |
275 |
305 |
10 |
12 |
8 |
|
Eastern Renaissance |
1 |
520 |
207 |
13 |
9 |
10 |
|
Sawihal |
1 |
310 |
198 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
|
Al Amari |
1 |
96 |
59 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
|
Al-Dujdahiya |
1 |
92 |
48 |
5 |
4 |
6 |
|
Total |
25 |
4490 |
2442 |
150 |
126 |
124 |
Source: [13]
Figure 2. Geographical distribution of primary schools in the countryside of Al-Qaim district
Source: Table 1
This unequal distribution of educational institutions has led to disparities in the number of students, teaching staff, and school divisions in areas where primary education is available. In the rural regions of Al-Qaim district, the number of enrolled students is 4,490, including 2,442 female students. The teaching staff consists of 150 male teachers and 126 female teachers, while the total number of school divisions stands at 124.
The uneven distribution of educational services presents a challenge to the improvement and future development of primary education in the district. Addressing these disparities is essential to enhancing educational opportunities and ensuring equitable access to education for all students.
22. Secondary education
Secondary education is one of the most critical stages in the educational system, as it plays a key role in expanding students' scientific and cultural knowledge while fostering a conscious and intellectually developed generation [3].
In the rural areas of Al-Qaim district, there are approximately six secondary schools, serving only four villages, while the remaining 22 villages lack access to secondary education. This unequal distribution highlights a significant decline in secondary education services, leading to a noticeable decrease in student enrollment at the preparatory level. This situation serves as a negative indicator for the development of educational services and requires urgent attention (Figure 3).
An analysis of Table 2 reveals further disparities in the distribution of students, teaching staff, and school divisions. The rural areas with existing secondary schools have: 99 teachers, 95 schools, 3,770 students, including 3,397 female students, 80 school divisions.
These figures demonstrate a significant imbalance in access to secondary education, which negatively impacts the overall educational development of rural communities. Addressing this issue requires the implementation of well-planned development strategies to enhance educational services and ensure social justice in their distribution. Expanding access to secondary education will help increase student enrollment, ultimately contributing to the growth and advancement of rural societies.
Figure 3. Geographical distribution of secondary schools in the countryside of Al-Qaim district
Source: Table 2
Table 2. Secondary education indicators in rural Al-Qaim for the year 2025
|
School Location |
Number of Schools |
Number of Students |
Number of Female Students |
Number of Male Teachers |
Number of Female Teachers |
Number of Divisions School |
|
Saada |
2 |
577 |
650 |
10 |
12 |
10 |
|
Grijeb |
2 |
538 |
445 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
|
Al-Fayadiyah |
1 |
145 |
128 |
8 |
6 |
8 |
|
Al-Rafidah |
1 |
221 |
221 |
10 |
12 |
6 |
|
Al-Amin |
1 |
422 |
422 |
10 |
14 |
9 |
|
Al-Furat |
1 |
509 |
342 |
13 |
10 |
8 |
|
Al-Nahda al-Sharqiya |
1 |
398 |
469 |
10 |
11 |
10 |
|
Sawihal |
1 |
448 |
294 |
14 |
10 |
7 |
|
Al-Shakakia and Al-Khasim |
1 |
512 |
426 |
12 |
10 |
12 |
|
Total |
11 |
3770 |
3397 |
99 |
95 |
80 |
Source: [13]
Health services are among the most fundamental necessities provided by the state to individuals and society. They are directly linked to an individual's well-being, productivity, and contribution as an essential and active member of society. The overall health status of a population significantly influences the development and progress of various sectors. Improved health conditions are a key outcome of development, whereas deteriorating health conditions contribute to underdevelopment, increasing the cost of sustainable development due to reduced individual productivity and lower economic participation [5, 8].
In rural Al-Qaim, health services are primarily provided through small health centers, which cater to the local population within their geographical areas (Figure 4). These centers offer: maternal and child care services, immunization services, oral health and school health programs, basic preventive and therapeutic care, personal medical examinations, emergency medical assistance, and health statistical registration.
An analysis of Table 3 reveals a severe disparity in the distribution of health services in rural Al-Qaim. Health facilities are concentrated in only three villages, while 23 villages lack any healthcare services. The available medical staff includes: 2 general practitioners, 2 dentists, 9 medical professionals, and 15 nursing staff.
Figure 4. Geographical distribution of health services in the countryside of Al-Qaim district
Source: Table 3
Table 3. Indicators of health services in rural Al-Qaim district for the year 2025
|
Health Center Location |
Doctors |
Dentists |
Health Professions |
Nursing Professions |
|
Saada |
1 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
|
Grijeb |
1 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Tamim |
— |
— |
2 |
2 |
|
Total |
2 |
2 |
9 |
15 |
Source: [14]
Overall, 41 villages suffer from a near-total absence of health services, illustrating a significant deficiency in both spatial distribution and service efficiency. This situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive planning and development strategies to expand healthcare services based on population needs.
To address this gap, it is crucial to ensure equitable distribution of healthcare centers, prioritizing villages that currently lack medical services. Strategic planning and targeted investments in rural healthcare infrastructure can help improve accessibility, service quality, and overall public health outcomes in rural Al-Qaim.
Recreational services are one of the most important community services that are of great importance in the lives of individuals because of their environmental and social importance in satisfying human psychological and mental desires, and recreational services include parks, public parks, sports fields, cultural centers, public libraries, recreational restaurants, archaeological and heritage sites, and with regard to the availability of recreational services in the countryside of Al-Qaim [4, 15], we find that they are below the required level, that is, there is no recreational service on the ground, except for some archaeological monuments which can be highlighted by the following:
Khan Grijeb: It is located in the village of Grijeb in Al-Qaim district near the Syrian border and is also called (Al-Qaim Al-Aqsa Al-Tantour Tower) It was built at the beginning of the second century AD, which is still standing, but it is one of the buildings that are liable to fall, and there is nearby the building of the Khan's house, also called (Dar Al-Wisdom) and this house was built of stone and plaster and similar to the buildings in the first Islamic eras that abound in its buildings with arches and knots in the roofs, doors and windows, and it has been recently rehabilitated. It was recently rehabilitated, as its construction dates back to the time of the governor Midhat Pasha, and is one of the important buildings in the Ottoman era, which was built on the routes of trade caravans and pilgrimage routes for the purpose of resting travelers, as the khan was also for trade and exchange of goods between Iraq and the Levant, and large parts of these archaeological monuments have cracked and demolished due to neglect of such archaeological sites [16], as shown in Figures 5 and 6.
Jabriya Hill: 12 km away from Al-Qaim on the west bank of the Euphrates are large ruins known as (Tell Al-Jabriya) and there is a shrine with this name built in the middle of these ruins, which is locally known as (Ta'as) or the archaeological area and studies confirm that the location of these ruins can be identified with the ancient city mentioned as (Khandona) in the campaign of the Assyrian king (Tukni Nonorta) and historical sources revealed that this city has trade relations with the Arabian Peninsula to the Arabian Gulf [14], as shown in Figure 7.
Recreational services in the study area suffer from the lack of government support for them and the weak financial allocations necessary to provide them or even in the field of preserving the existing archaeological sites, which if properly utilized can be an important factor in attracting tourists and activating the tourist movement in the region and thus activating the archaeological tourism movement, which is an important and essential aspect of the development of development levels in the countryside [4], in addition to the availability of the Euphrates River, whose banks are characterized by its diverse terrain that is full of rocky cliffs and sandy beaches that give it a beautiful view, and increases its beauty due to the presence of evergreen trees and agriculture that follows the hills of the Euphrates River, which is characterized by its clear waters, Its clear waters are suitable for practicing swimming, water sports and various hobbies [10]. The banks of the Euphrates River can be exploited in the construction of parks and restaurants, and the spatial extension of evergreen trees along the course of the river can be used to expand green areas and create natural recreational areas that contribute to attracting the population for the purpose of tourism and vacation, providing job opportunities for the population, raising the standard of living, cultural and psychological of individuals and improving the quality of life in rural areas.
Figure 5. Al-Qaim Al-Aqsa Tower in the village of Grijeb
Figure 6. Dar al-Hikma in the village of Grijeb
Figure 7. Jabriya Hill (al-Ta'as) in the village of Grijeb
Source: [17]
Strategies and challenges for leveraging archaeological sites:
•Conservation: Many of these sites are susceptible to structural damage due to neglect. Preservation efforts require government support and international collaboration [4].
•Infrastructure and access: Roads, visitor centers, and interpretive signage are necessary to attract and accommodate tourists [2].
•Local community engagement: Involving local residents can ensure inclusive benefit-sharing, as recommended by global heritage management practices [3].
•Funding and training: Shortage of funds and trained personnel in tourism management remains a primary obstacle [9].
When planning community services in any region, this planning must be based on a set of foundations and criteria aimed at knowing whether these services are highly efficient and contribute to improving the quality of life in rural areas and developing the educational, cultural, health and psychological levels of the population, if the most important local planning criteria will be highlighted to discuss and analyze the reality of existing services and the extent to which these services contribute to the development of development levels in the countryside, as follows:
5.1 Evaluating the efficiency of educational services
By comparing the planning indicators of educational services with the planning criteria, it is clear to us through analyzing Table 4.
•Pupil/Teacher Ratio: This indicator falls within the planning standards, with an average of 20 pupils per teacher in elementary schools and 25 pupils per teacher in middle and junior high schools, which is considered a positive indicator.
However, the actual pupil/teacher ratio exceeds the local planning standard by 40 pupils in elementary schools and 35 pupils in middle and preparatory schools. This suggests that school divisions are insufficient to accommodate students, primarily due to inefficient school building distribution and a shortage of classrooms. This represents a negative indicator for the future development of educational services.
•Pupil/School Ratio: The pupil-to-school ratio in rural Al-Qaim is significantly higher than the recommended planning standards, reaching 572 pupils per school in elementary education and 650 pupils per school in middle and junior high education. This overcrowding further highlights the inefficiency of educational services, indicating an urgent need for improving school infrastructure and expanding educational facilities to ensure better learning conditions.
While pupil-teacher ratios are acceptable, the pupil-division and pupil-school ratios reveal inadequacies in infrastructure. Future interventions should prioritize new school construction, smaller class sizes, and improved teacher deployment to underserved villages.
Table 4. Assessment of the efficiency of educational services according to the planning criteria in rural Al-Qaim district for the year 2025
|
School Stage |
Planning Criteria |
The Current State of Affairs |
||||
|
Pupil/School |
Pupil/Division |
Pupil/Teacher |
Pupil/School |
Pupil/Division |
Pupil/Teacher |
|
|
Primary |
400-300 |
25 |
20 |
572 |
40 |
20 |
|
Secondary |
500-400 |
30 |
25 |
650 |
35 |
25 |
Source: [18]
5.2 Evaluating the efficiency of health services
When analyzing the existing reality of health services and comparing it with the planning criteria, it is clear to us through the data in Table 5 as follows:
• Main health centers per population:
The standard ratio for main health centers is 1 center per 10,000 people. However, there are no main health centers in rural Al-Qaim, indicating a severe deficiency in healthcare infrastructure. Based on this criterion, the area requires five main health centers to adequately serve the population.
• Sub-health centers per population:
The standard for sub-health centers is 1 center per 5,000 people. Currently, there are only three sub-health centers in rural Al-Qaim. To meet the population's healthcare needs, an additional three sub-health centers are required.
• Doctors per population:
The criterion for doctor distribution is 1 physician per 1,000 people. Applying this standard to Al-Qaim’s rural population, there is a need for 24 doctors to sufficiently provide healthcare services.
• Dentists per population:
The standard ratio is 1 dentist per 10,000 people. Based on this criterion, rural Al-Qaim requires three additional dentists to meet the population's dental care needs.
• Pharmacists per population:
The recommended ratio is 1 pharmacist per 20,000 people. To align with this standard and accommodate potential future population growth, three additional pharmacists are needed in rural Al-Qaim.
• Health professionals per population:
The standard ratio is 1 health professional per 500 people. Applying this criterion to Al-Qaim’s rural population, there is a need for 11 additional health professionals to enhance healthcare service delivery.
• Nursing professionals per population:
Substantially more human resources and facilities are required to meet basic health needs in alignment with both local and international norms [6, 8].
Table 5. Assessment of the planning criteria for health services in rural Al-Qaim district for the year 2025
|
Health Service |
Planning Criterion/Population |
Estimating the Current and Future Need for Health Services |
|
Main Health Center / population |
1/10000 |
5 |
|
Sub-health center / population |
1/5000 |
3 |
|
Doctor/ population |
1/1000 |
24 |
|
Pharmacist / population |
1/20000 |
3 |
|
Dentist/ population |
1/10000 |
3 |
|
Dentist/ population |
1/500 |
11 |
|
Nursing / population |
1/250 |
12 |
Source: [14]
5.3 Evaluate the efficiency of recreational services
By analyzing the reality of recreational services in the countryside of Al-Qaim districts and through the field survey, it is clear that they are completely lacking in the presence of recreational services and for the purpose of improving and developing the existing reality of recreational services, the most important planning indicators for recreational services will be reviewed and compared with the age ratio of users for each recreational service and determine the actual need for them and the services that must be available to the population as follows [4] (Table 6):
•Public parks per population:
The standard ratio for public parks is 1 park per 4,800 residents. Based on this criterion, rural Al-Qaim requires 10 public parks to meet the recreational needs of the population.
•Sports arenas per population:
The recommended standard for sports arenas is 1 arena per 4,800 residents. Applying this criterion, rural Al-Qaim needs 7 sports arenas to provide adequate facilities for physical activities and community events.
•Children’s playgrounds per population:
The criterion for children’s playgrounds is 1 playground per 3,600 residents. Given this standard, rural Al-Qaim requires 7 children’s playgrounds to ensure sufficient recreational spaces for young children.
•Sports stadiums per population:
The standard allocation for sports stadiums is 1 stadium per 4,800 residents. To align with this criterion, rural Al-Qaim needs 7 sports stadiums for organized sports and community gatherings.
•Cafés per population:
The standard ratio for cafés is 1 café per 4,800 residents. Based on this guideline, rural Al-Qaim requires 5 cafés to support social and community engagement.
The Euphrates River and archaeological sites offer unique recreational potential. Developing sustainable tourism—with adequate facilities, marketing, and local participation—could drive both cultural preservation and economic growth [3, 4].
Table 6. Evaluation of the planning criteria for recreational services in rural Al-Qaim County for the year 2025
|
Recreational Service Type |
Planning Criterion/Population |
Age Ratio of Users/Population |
Estimating the Current and Future Need for Health Services |
|
Public parks and gardens |
1/4800 |
100% |
10 |
|
Sports arenas |
1/4800 |
14.40% |
7 |
|
Children's playgrounds |
1/3600 |
18.65% |
7 |
|
Sports fields |
1/4800 |
15.16% |
7 |
|
cafes |
1/4800 |
20% |
5 |
Source: [19, 20]
By analyzing the existing reality of community services and comparing them with the planning criteria, we can see the following:
•There is a spatial disparity in the distribution of educational institutions (primary and secondary), as they are concentrated in certain villages at the expense of villages that lack educational services, which has affected the decline in the educational level clearly.
•The low efficiency of the educational services provided to the population, especially with regard to the number of school buildings and school divisions, as they suffer from a clear shortage in their numbers, which contributed to the increase in the number of students at a higher rate than the planning standard, and this has negative effects that are reflected in the extent of students' absorption of the study material and thus affect their academic level.
•The health sector suffers from low indicators in all its aspects, as most of the services provided to the rural population have not risen to the required level, as well as the absence of social justice in the distribution and planning of health centers.
•The low efficiency of health services provided to the population, especially with regard to the availability of main and secondary health centers and specialized medical and professional staff. Health services suffer from a complete deficit and poor planning in the process of managing and distributing medical and professional staff and various human resources in proportion to the number of residents in each village, which has affected the health level of the population in rural areas.
•Shortage of medical staff Villages face a shortage of doctors and nurses, as many workers in the health sector prefer to move to cities in search of job opportunities.
•Lack of availability of basic medicines and medical supplies on a continuous basis hinders the provision of proper treatment to the population.
•Lack of availability of basic medicines and medical supplies on a continuous basis hinders the provision of proper treatment to the population.
•The lack of government funding and support and the lack of financial resources allocated to the health sector in villages leads to poor services and the inability to develop health centers or the possibility of developing them in the future.
•The lack of governmental support and poor financial allocations in the field of developing and improving recreational services and the lack of good management and sufficient experience in studying the economic feasibility of these services has clearly affected the lack of availability of recreational services and their future development [2].
• Lack of effective strategies to promote these sites at the local level, which reduces their attractiveness to tourists.
• Lack of involvement of the local population in the development and economic utilization of heritage sites, which leads to a weak incentive to preserve them.
• The lack of archaeological studies related to heritage sites, which limits the understanding of their value and importance and hinders their utilization in tourism development.
• The lack of cultural awareness of the population in rural areas in the field of providing recreational services, which represents a basic and important requirement that contributes to improving and developing the quality of life in the countryside in addition to its aesthetic importance and improving the mental and psychological aspect of individuals, and thus the development of recreational services contributes to the availability of various activities and services, providing job opportunities for the rural population and improving their standard of living [9] .
•It is essential to offer cohesive governmental support for enhancing and advancing community services. This can be achieved by implementing development strategies focused on addressing underdevelopment and elevating the quality of life in rural regions [6].
•The presence of a specialized planning entity dedicated to formulating essential plans for the enhancement of community services, alongside the accreditation of qualified and experienced individuals responsible for executing these plans and ensuring ongoing monitoring of their implementation.
•Formulate precise plans and policies aimed at enhancing the performance of educational services, considering the equitable distribution to underserved villages. Ensure the improvement of educational quality and the elevation of efficiency in the services provided to the population, while maximizing student enrollment in schools [4].
•The objective is to enhance the efficiency of health services through the establishment of primary and secondary health centers in underserved villages. This initiative will adhere to the principle of social justice in resource distribution and will ensure the provision of necessary material and human resources, particularly medical and professional staff. Such efforts are essential for preserving population health, addressing basic needs, and improving the overall health status of rural communities to promote a healthy quality of life. Moreover, encourage qualitative studies (e.g., interviews) to uncover context-specific barriers [8].
•Efforts should be directed towards optimizing the use of available recreational resources, particularly concerning archaeological sites of historical significance. This includes enhancing archaeological tourism development through the rehabilitation and advancement of these sites, ensuring the preservation of their heritage and archaeological value. Additionally, there is a necessity to leverage these sites for local tourism by establishing various recreational services, especially given the availability of adequate areas for such initiatives, such as, constructing riverside parks, cafés, and sports facilities near the Euphrates to foster local employment and revenue generation [3].
•The establishment of recreational services, including gardens, public parks, squares, and sports fields, alongside the green spaces adjacent to the Euphrates River, can facilitate the development of numerous recreational cafes and restaurants. This initiative aims to enhance the mental and psychological well-being of the rural population. In addition, engage local youth and community leaders to sustain these initiatives [9].
By pursuing these recommendations with clear timelines and resource allocations—aligned with mid-term development plans for 2025—authorities can significantly enhance community services in rural Al-Qaim and drive sustained rural development [2].
Developing community services in the rural areas of Al-Qaim district requires adopting effective development strategies to ensure the success of development plans. Specialized administrative and technical personnel, in addition to proper planning, are essential to guide rural development efforts. Comprehensive government support is also necessary for managing and implementing development projects to enhance community services in rural areas and involve the local community to ensure the success of proposed plans and the achievement of desired objectives.
Moreover, there should be a focus on establishing specialized planning bodies and empowering qualified personnel to oversee development and implement strategies that support rural development projects. This includes strengthening educational services and ensuring equitable distribution to improve efficiency and increase school enrollment rates. Efforts should also be made to increase the number of health centers in underserved villages while providing the availability of qualified human and medical resources and promoting social equity in access to services. It is crucial to make optimal use of archaeological and natural resources, in addition to developing recreational and tourism services, especially along the banks of the Euphrates River. This would contribute to heritage preservation and support the local economy in rural areas, improving the psychological well-being of the population and creating job opportunities—ultimately raising the standard of living and promoting health and culture in rural communities.
Finally, by committing to clear timelines and allocating resources aligned with medium-term development goals for 2025, these initiatives can significantly improve the quality of life in Al-Qaim's countryside and enhance rural development opportunities.
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