June 07, 2015
News
AJK PM Abdul Majeed inaugurates six Japan-funded schools in Muzaffarabad
* For the reconstruction, Tokyo-based international Japanese organisation KNK has provided funds *These schools were destroyed as a result of massive earthquake on October 8, 2005
MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed inaugurated six schools in Muzaffarabad constructed by the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) at the cost of Rs65.65 million which will benefit over 35,000 people.
For the construction of these schools the Tokyo-based international Japanese organisation Kokkyo Naki Kodomotachi (KNK) has provided funds. These schools, including boys and girls schools, were destroyed as a result of the massive earthquake on October 8, 2005.
During the inauguration ceremony, the AJK prime minister acknowledged the role played by ERRA in pursuing international donors, sponsors for the reconstruction of schools and other structures destroyed in the colossal earthquake. He said that still there were hundreds of schools and other educational facilities that had not been rebuilt so far due to funds constraints, forcing the students including male and female to get education either at temporary shelters or open spaces.
On the occasion, he lauded Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for enhancing the funds to Rs 7.5 billion. He expressed the hope that sufficient funds will be allocated for the reconstruction of the remaining schools and colleges.
Addressing the ceremony, AJK Finance, Planning and Development Minister Ch Latif Akbar while appreciating the reconstruction of six school also called upon the teachers and educationists to play their due role for improving the quality of education and upkeep of the reconstructed buildings.
ERRA Chief of Staff Brig Abu Bakr addressing the ceremony said that out of 21 schools committed to be reconstructed by Japanese organisation KNK six have been completed, which will benefit over 35,000 population of the concerned areas. He mentioned that ERRA have been completing 3-4 projects a day in the earthquake affected areas while roads and bridges have been reconstructed in AJK, which has not only relieved the commuters but also boosted economic activities.
Giving details, he said that with a cost of Rs 21 million the Government Girls High School Muhajir Colony Muzaffarabad was reconstructed. He told the gathering that the reconstruction of Government Girls Primary Schools Behani at Union Council Kahori, Muzaffarabad, was completed at a cost of Rs 8.2 million. He further added that Government Girls Primary School Abial in Gojra Union Council, Muzaffarabad, was reconstructed at a cost of Rs 7.07 million. It is also worth mentioning that local NGO Friend Welfare Association Pakistan is rebuilding these schools, he said.
Brig Abu Bakr said that Malsi Pain and Balk Bana villages of Langarpura, Muzaffarabad, one each Govt Girls and Primary School was reconstructed at the cost of Rs 15.37 million. He mentioned at a Government boys Primary School in Balak Pana Union Council Gojra, Muzaffarabad, has been reconstructed with the total outlay of Rs7.6 million.
At the ceremony, KNK Head of programme for Pakistan Ayako San and representative for Pakistan Kyo San were accorded a warm welcome by students, teachers and local population for their kind gesture to rebuild educational facilities destroyed in the October 8, 2005 earthquake.
SERRA Secretary Zafar Nabi Butt highlighted the importance of funding and sponsorship of the Government of Japan and FWAP in the wake of financial crunch being faced by the Government of Pakistan and Government of AJK with reference to the reconstruction. He expressed the hope that the collaboration between KNK Japan and ERRA/SERRA shall further grow in future.
FWAP Executive Director Javed Iqbal in his remarks said that in the second phase work has been started for construction of three schools out of the remaining schools. On the occasion Elementary and Secondary Education Secretary Mehmood Khan, Government Girls High School Muhajar Colony Principal Nighat Shaheen eulogised the AJK prime minister, ERRA Deputy Chairman Maj Gen Muhammad Azeem Asif for their untiring efforts to complete the remaining educational projects.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk