Hundreds of new school buildings are gradually becoming operational after being rebuilt under an ongoing post-earthquake Reconstruction Program launched by the Albanian government after many educational facilities sustained structural damages due to the devastating earthquake that hit the country last November. One of them is the nine-year school Bedrie Bebeziqi“, which suffered the same fate as many ruined buildings in Durres, one of the worst-hit areas, and which is now being rebuilt to be a stronger, safer and more beautiful school building, located at the city’s centre.

The new educational facility will deliver optimum conditions for around 450 pupils.

Prime Minister Edi Rama visited the city of Durres today to inspect the ongoing works to construct the new school.

“This is one of the many educational facilities and other buildings that sustained severe damages due to the natural disaster and its reconstruction commenced as soon as the old building was demolished. More than 450 pupils will attend their classes in the new school, which has 12 classrooms and four laboratories. The five-storey school is located at the city’s centre. The classrooms are located on one side of the corridor to allow natural light into the classrooms. The corridor also features emergency and fire escape staircases. The building will also feature an indoor yard,” the Mayor of Durres Emiriana Sako said.

The new nine-year school Bedrie Bebeziqi is set to open doors to its pupils within January.

***

Prime Minister Edi Rama went on to inspect the works to construct the nine-year school “Qemal Mici”

Around 1030 students will attend this school. The four-storey school building features an indoor yard, outdoor sport grounds and all infrastructure elements for the people with disabilities, meeting the highest European standards. To ensure best functional use of its premises, the sport grounds have been built underground to allow their use by local community and deliver on the school as community centre concept. The Reconstruction Minister Arben Ahmetaj said that these are really major investments and the new buildings’ maintenance remains a challenge.

The Reconstruction Program in Durres includes 31 educational facilities. Construction of six schools is co-funded by the European Union and the German bank KfW, while the rest is funded by the Albanian government.