Construction of the second batch of the European Union-funded schools kicked off in Albania, in addition to the many educational facilities funded by the Albanian government currently under construction or were already delivered. The EU4Schools, an EU-funded programme is advancing steadily with 12 schools nearing completion, while construction of 15 more educational facilities is set to complete within next year. Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by the Minister of State for Reconstruction Arben Ahmetaj, and the EU Ambassador to Albania Luigi Soreca, visited Kamez to closely inspect progress of work on construction of “Dom Nikollë Kaçorri” school.
“This is one of the schools being constructed by the European Commission through the EU for Schools 1 and EU for Schools 2, which is the same EU-funded programme with two components. “Dom Nikoll Kacorri” school has 310 pupils, and the new school building will also house the kindergarten and communal premises with a capacity for 110 children. Quality of the construction work is very high. Outdoor sports grounds are also being built. The new school will house several laboratories and a large multifunctional hall. We are confident construction work will complete in the next two months. The European Commission has funded grants worth 115 million euros to support two major programs, namely construction of new schools and rehabilitation of the cultural heritage sites,” Reconstruction Minister Ahmetaj said.
EU Ambassador Soreca praised builder for the quality construction work on this school, adding that construction of 12 EU-funded schools are scheduled to complete within June.
“This is the second group of new schools that follows an initial group of educational facilities built through Albanian government funds. Second group of new schools are being built through the EU support, the biggest contributor as part of the International Donors’ Conference. Therefore, I would like to extend profound gratitude to the European Commission, the Ambassador, who has been on our side since first second after the earthquake and together with the Commissioner and the President of the European Commission they have been the main promoters behind the Conference’s success that is now being translated into concrete facilities for schoolchildren, teachers and parents,” PM Rama said.
In addition to education, the European Union will invest an additional fund of 40 million euros to support various culture projects. “Out of a total of 63 schools, 12 are currently under construction or were already delivered, whereas 15 more schools will complete next year. The EU will also provide another fund of 40 million euros to support culture. We will soon start work to rehabilitate the National History Museum’s mosaic at Skanderbeg square. This has been our vision for the future Albania and that’s why we decided to invest in education and culture,” Ambassador Soreca said.
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“Sherif Dervishi” nine-year school is part of the second bloc of schools 100% funded by the European Union and the new facility is currently being constructed to provide new educational infrastructure and contemporary standards for around 230 pupils.
“This school features 14 new premises, nine classrooms, physics, chemistry and IT laboratories, a multifunctional hall and a library, as well as a gym and outdoor sports ground,” Mayor of Kruja Artur Bushi said as he accompanied PM Rama who toured the construction site today.
Investments in building and upgrading road infrastructure are on the go in tandem with work to construct the new school. “Construction of the road leading to Budull village, an investment implemented through the Albanian Development Fund, has completed. Significant investments have been implemented in this village too,” Mayor Bushi added.
On his part, the EU Ambassador Luigi Soreca said that investment projects on culture are set to start soon.
