DUSHANBE, February 6, Asia-Plus  -- More than 20 international organizations have provided more than US$35 million worth of aid to Tajikistan in a form of grants and technical assistance for enhancement of the country’s education sector.

Deputy Education Minister, Zarif Sharipov, remarked this at a news conference in Dushanbe on February 4.  According to him, technical assistance and grants were provided to Tajikistan during the period from 2003 to 2005.  Besides, the WB-sponsored project aimed at rehabilitation of secondary schools in the Dushanbe district of Shohmansur, and in Kulob, Vahdat, Roghun, as well as Vose, Fayzobod, and Nurobod districts has been working in the country for two years, according to him.  The deputy minister said that a total budget for the implementation of this project was US$34 million.  “Of this amount, US$13 million are a loan of the World Bank, US$7 million are a grant provided by the International Development Association and a share of the country’s government amounts to more than US$4 million,” Zarif Sharipov said, noting that under the project designed for the period till 2008 33 schools are supposed to be renovated in the country and two new schools are planned to be built in Dushanbe and Kulob.