Twenty one new schools constructed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the earthquake-affected districts of Muzaffarabad and Bagh were inaugurated by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of The Netherlands, Joost Reintjes, at a ceremony held in the Government Boys Primary School Mera Paprosa.
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has contributed US$32 million, making it the largest donor for the earthquake education programme. This funding is part of a broader package of support to UNICEF for school reconstruction in the earthquake affected region from a group of donors.
With the funds, UNICEF is expected to complete the planned 691 schools (410 permanent and 281 pre-fabricated schools) in AJK and KPK provinces by the end of the current year. The total number of beneficiary students of the program would be 65,000.
Out of the Dutch contribution, 121 permanent and 68 pre-fabricated schools have been built; a total of 290 schools (222 permanent and 68 pre-fab) will be completed by the end of the program in August 2012.
The program has not only provided the hardware in terms of school buildings, but also provided the soft component, i.e. teacher training, to members of the school management committee (SMC) and capacity development of government officials of education departments. Students were also provided with training for psycho-social, issues related to natural disasters.
“Education is a basic necessity for development which should be at the easy reach of every child” said Mr Reintjes. The Ambassador appreciated the difficulty for the parents in sending their children to school due to the harsh winters and difficult terrain. He was glad that the enrolment figures had improved greatly due to the programme and emphasised the need for quality education. The Netherlands Government stepped in after the devastating earthquake of 2005 which was an example of the longstanding bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Under the UN Delivering as One Programme, UNICEF has been collaborating with the Government of Pakistan to support the ‘Build Back Better’ initiative whereby earthquake resistant permanent schools structures and basic health units are being constructed at various locations in the earthquake-affected areas.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, Dan Rohrmann said, “Investing in children’s right to quality education is an investment that not only fulfills their basic rights, but also contributes to the future of Pakistan – an investment that forever will change the lives of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children.
“Creating opportunities for children in the wake of the tragic 2005 earthquake, illustrates that building back better through the combination of seismic resistant school buildings, clean drinking water and sanitation facilities and child friendly schooling, provides a winning combination for the children, the parents, the teachers and the local community. The schools are becoming the hubs for community developments,” he added.
