October 26, 2007	Friday	Shawwal 13, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: The Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) and residents of earthquake- affected areas of Mansehra and Bagh celebrated the first year achievements of the United States Agency for International Development’s education sector programme.

The Revitalising, Innovating and Strengthening Education (Rise) project works to rebuild and improve educational infrastructure and deliver high-quality education to children in Mansehra and Bagh.

“US support is an investment in the future of Pakistan and education is always an investment that yields great return,” Peter W. Bodde, deputy chief of mission of the US Embassy in Islamabad, said at a ceremony in this regard.

Mr Bodde added: “In the past year, Rise has completed two schools, with 30 designed or under-construction in Manshara and Bagh.”

The project also helps communities in these districts to improve the quality of classroom instruction by training teachers and mobilising parent-teacher committees to participate in school reconstruction and maintenance.

“USAID is carrying out an earthquake reconstruction programme to rebuild schools and hospitals, expand education and health services and improve economic well-being,” he said.

Mr Bodde thanked the authorities of NWFP and AJK, and expressed appreciation for the good working relationship with the Erra in the early success of the project.

Project Director Dr Lorelei Brush talked about the aims and objectives of the project that included improving the capability building, increasing the community participation, making parents and teachers work together to improve the educational standard.

While talking about the intensity of situation she said: “We cannot afford to loose students that need education now just for the reason that we do not have proper infrastructure.”

“Area meetings are organised on regular basis for parents and teachers to get in touch with each other,” she said. The project was stretched to two more regions including Muzaffarabad and Poonch, which would be started shortly, she maintained.

Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan appreciated the first year achievements of the Rise for building up learning capacity for teachers and students in the quake- affected areas.

“Extensive work is needed in two major areas, firstly building strong base of education at primary level through capacity building, secondly, providing such education at higher level that had value in job market,” he said.