Minister of Education and American Official Launch Construction of New Schools in Aqaba
(Three New Schools Under Construction and 13 Others Being Renovated in Aqaba for a Total Cost of $22.5 Million)
AQABA – Acting Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Alonzo Fulgham and Minister of Education Tayseer Nueimi today launched the construction of three new schools and the renovation of 13 existing ones in Aqaba governorate at a total cost of $22.5 million. The cornerstone laying ceremony, held at the construction site of the 8th Area Secondary School for Boys in Aqaba, was also attended by Minister of Public Works and Housing Eng. Ala Batayneh, ASEZA Chief Commissioner Husni Abu Gheida, and USAID Jordan Director Jay Knott..
The new schools to be constructed under this phase are: Al-Karameh Secondary Comprehensive School for Girls, the 10th Area Secondary Comprehensive School for Girls, and the 8th Area Secondary School for Boys. The 13 existing schools under renovation, located throughout Aqaba governorate, will receive 49 new and renovated classrooms, kindergartens and computer labs. Together, the American funding for the 16 new and renovated schools will benefit approximately 14,000 students.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Fulgham thanked the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, and the Government Buildings Directorate for their partnership in the selection, planning, design and tendering for these schools. Mr. Fulgham said: “Many other partners have been engaged in this process.” He added: “These range from community members who have provided their input into the planning process, teachers and principals who worked with us on individual designs for their schools, and the leadership and staff of ASEZA who have assisted us tremendously to get to this day.”
The construction and renovations are part of a 4-year, $70 million USAID-funded program announced in 2006 to assist Jordan in constructing and renovating schools throughout the country. The program aims to construct 28 new schools and renovate up to 100 more throughout the country in conjunction with the Ministry of Education to help reduce overcrowding in classrooms and decrease the number of rented buildings used as schools. These expansions and new classrooms will also help Jordanian schools absorb increased enrollments due to expanding populations. The program aims to benefit over 100,000 students and teachers by 2010.
Since 2003, USAID has provided over $160 million in grant funds to help improve the education sector in Jordan. USAID’s education portfolio is aligned with Jordan’s Education Reform for the Knowledge Economy (ERfKE) initiative through construction and renovation of schools, improving early childhood education, and better preparing Jordan’s youth for the job market.
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