August 18, 2006	Friday	Rajab 22, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 17: The European Commission will provide Rs750 million to Unicef for its ongoing education sector recovery process in support of the government’s early recovery plan for reconstruction and rehabilitation in the earthquake-hit areas.

The objective of the education recovery programme, as part of the government’s “build back better” campaign, is to ensure early resumption of basic education services in the areas affected by the quake. Under the programme, Unicef will construct 500 rural primary schools - 250 each in AJK and NWFP.

In this regard, an agreement was signed here on Thursday by Balthasar Benz, charge d’ affairs of the European Commission Delegation, and Thomas C. McDermott, the Unicef representative. Economic affairs division secretary Khalid Saeed was also present.

Under the agreement, the EC will contribute Euros 10 million to the ongoing education recovery programme which has an overall budget of Euros 46.6 million.

The governments of Australia, Canada and the Netherlands have also contributed to the programme.

The programme is designed to deliver greater community-driven and coordinated education services within a comprehensive and integrated approach for healthy, protective and good quality primary and middle school education for all children.

Under the project, most of the primary school-age children whose education process was disrupted (about 449,138) have returned to school, says an official announcement.

In addition, Unicef is also aiming to enrol at least 30 per cent of the children in the affected areas who have never been to school before including marginalised groups like girls, disabled children, internally displaced persons and ultra poor.

The programme also aims at setting in place improved system for education planning management and administration along with improved physical standards for safe school buildings with provision for safe drinking water and sanitation facilities.