The World Bank Wednesday signed a $60 million grant agreement with Iraq’s Ministry of Education to fund the construction of new buildings for over 100 schools, and urgent repairs to 140 primary and secondary schools across 18 governorates. The project focuses on schools that are overcrowded or housed in unsafe buildings.
The Emergency School Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Project was signed on the sidelines of an international donors conference in Tokyo by Dr. Mehdi Al-Hafedh, Iraq’s Minister of Planning and Development Cooperation and Mr. Christian Poortman, World Bank Vice President for Middle East and North Africa.
The construction and repairs will be complemented by training and advisory support to Iraqi civil servants in key areas of education reform.
"The Emergency School Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Project represents an important step for Iraqis to achieve the education goals they shared with the international community today, aimed at creating a better future for their people," said Poortman. (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
