DUSHANBE, August 18, Asia-Plus  -- Two new schools to accommodate 300 pupils each will appear in Dushanbe’s Sino district and the Roudaki district, some 17 kilometers to the south of Dushanbe.  Construction of these schools officially commenced on August 15.

According to the education projects management unit, the schools are built within the framework of the Catalytic Fund Grant Project.  

The new building for school # 73 in Dushanbe’s Sino district will be constructed by the construction company Monolit-05 and the building for school # 172 in the village of Arbobkhotoun, Roudaki district will be constructed by one of sub-divisions of open joint-stock company (OJSC) Dushanbestroy (Dushanbe state-run construction company).  Both schools are expected to have been finished by school year 2009-2010.     

The Catalytic Fund contributes to enhancement of Tajikistan’s education sector through awarding grants to support implementation of the country’s national education development strategy.  Three priority areas identified by this strategy are: a) infrastructure/equipment and furniture/learning materials; b) management; and c) education management information system. 

The Catalytic Fund Grant Project currently supports construction or renovation of twelve educational facilities in Dushanbe, Istaravshan, Roudaki, Darvoz, Vanj, Panjakent, Hissor, Shahrinav, Mastchoh and Ghonchi.