(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) Amman, Dec. 17 (Petra) -- The government on Sunday signed an additional grant agreement from the EU worth 20 million euros, a Planning and International Cooperation Ministry's statement said.
The agreement aims to support the Education Ministry's programme to deal with repercussions of the Syrian refugee crisis through financial support to the general budget, as the government provides education to both Jordanian and Syrian refugees at the public schools.
Planning and International Minister Imad Fkhoury and EU Ambassador Andrea Fontana in Amman signed the agreement, in the presence of Education Ministry Secretary General Mohammad Okour.
The agreement had been already approved in April 2016, by EU Regional Trust Fund "Madad" which is a more flexible and speedy tools to response to shifting needs with the overall objective of supporting the resilience of refugees as well as that of the host communities, said the statement.
During the signing ceremony, Fakhoury said that the agreement is a step towards more cooperation between Jordan and the EU, stressing that it reflects the EU's fulfilment of its commitment during the conferences of London and Brussels on Syria and the neighbouring countries, which contributes to supporting Jordan shouldering the burdens of hosting the refugees.
The minister said that the grant will be disbursed on three instalment over the next two scholastic years.
The grant will help the Government/Ministry of Education to provide quality education in primary and secondary schools for Syrians in camp schools, who estimated to be 36, 000 students, support student in camps by providing them with school books and pay for their tuition fees, pay for 2,680 teachers and 400 administrators salaries to provide quality education, and provide services such as libraries, computers and science education in the camp schools.
Fakhoury voiced appreciation for the EU continuous support to Jordan as a strategic partner in the Kingdom's reform and development process, especially during this difficult period.
The total EU support for education since 2012 until 2018 reached 237, 5 million euros through various support methods such as supporting the general budget and supporting global organisations' projects, said the statement.
The fund's council has approved projects for Jordan worth 211 million euros to support education, child protection, training, higher educating, healthcare, income-generating projects for locals, and improving the infrastructure.
The fund has also approved an additional a 20-million euros grant as a contribution to West Irbid waste water project, which cost 53.2 million euros, and another grant worth 33 million euros to build ten schools. For his part, Fontana said that: "through this project the EU signals its continuous support to the education system in Jordan, which will benefit both Jordanians and Syrians".
The EU has a longstanding history in supporting Jordan with achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, namely ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all children. The EU also supports Jordan this year with EUR 33 million for the construction of 10 new schools under the Madad Fund, according to the statement.
AA
17/12/2017 - 10:02:40 PM
MENAFN1812201701170000ID1096244304
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.