Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - USAID and the Ministry of Public Works and Housing announced the contracting of $31 million to build one school and renovate 61 others throughout Jordan. This is the final phase of the $199 million Jordan School Construction and Rehabilitation Project begun in 2006.

Under the project, USAID has built 27 new schools and remodeled another 32 to date. When the project concludes in 2013, more than 100,000 students and teachers from every Governorate will directly benefit from the infrastructure improvements.

“Although we are here to announce the last phase of this project,” noted US Ambassador Stuart E. Jones during the ceremony, “the United States will continue to support Jordan to improve the quality of formal basic education. Ongoing investments in education provid the foundation for Jordan’s future.”

The Minister of Public Works and Housing H.E. Eng. Yahya Kisbi noted that this work would be “directly implemented by the Ministry of Public Works, with all $31 million in construction and construction supervision contracts being awarded to local Jordanian companies.”

USAID Mission Director Beth S. Paige highlighted that, “USAID believes that local Jordanian firms’ participation of in this project is vital to its success and sustainability. This project provides a great opportunity to widen our partnership with local organizations and the Government of Jordan.”

USAID's investment in school infrastructure improvement complements the technical assistance USAID is providing the Ministry of Education in achieving some of its major objectives under the Education Reform for the Knowledge Economy Program, specifically in Early Childhood Education, Professional Development, Youth Development and Monitoring and Evaluation. USAID has been assisting the Ministry of Education in its reform plans since 2003 with programs that are closely aligned with the Ministry's strategy and vision.