PORTUGAL - RURAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

PROJECT CONSISTS OF THE PHYSICAL EXPANSION OF 4 RURAL VOCATIONAL INSTITUTES; 3 ARE IN MAINLAND PORTUGAL AT VILA REAL (NORTH), COVILHA (CENTRAL), EVORA (SOUTH), AND ONE IS IN THE AZORES. EACH INSTITUTE SHOULD BECOME ITS GEOGRAPHIC AREA"S PRINCIPAL SOURCE OF POST-SECONDARY TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. LOAN WILL HELP FINANCE CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPPING AND PROVISION OF MATERIALS FOR CLASSROOMS, LABORATORIES, EXPERIMENTAL FARM FACILITIES, DORMITORIES AND SUPPORT FACILITIES. THE INSTITUTES ARE TO PROVIDE: 1)INDUSTRIAL, ANIMAL PRODUCTION, AGRICULTURAL AND OTHER RESEARCH; 2)POST-SECONDARY TRAINING; 3)TEACHER TRAINING FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS; 4)TRAINING OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AGENTS; 5)DATA CENTER. SPECIAL SHORT COURSES AND PROGRAMS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SUBJECTS TO UPGRADE FARMING SKILLS, TEACH LITERACY, HOME ECONOMICS, SANITATION, NUTRITION, CHILD CARE; SURVEY MANPOWER NEEDS, DEVELOP REGIONS ECONOMICALLY. PROJECT IMMEDIATELY BENEFITS STAFFS OF THE INSTITUTES, STUDENTS, PERSONNEL IN STATE HEALTH, VOCATIONAL AND REGIONAL PLANNING ORGANIZATIONS, LOCAL FARMERS AND TECHNICIANS. INDIRECT BENEFICIARIES, IN ADDITION TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES INCLUDE THE REGIONAL UNEMPLOYED, LOCAL CONTRACTORS AND LOCAL BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY. AID FUNDS WILL PAY UP TO 75% FOR CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT COSTS AND SHORT-TERM U.S. TRAINING. GOP WILL PAY FOR NO LESS THAN 25% OF CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATING COSTS OF INSTITUTIONS. OTHER DONORS: HOLLAND PROVIDES SPECIALISTS TO VILA REAL AND EVORA; UNIVERSITY OF READING, ENGLAND HAS EXCHANGED SPECIALISTS WITH VILA REAL. AZORES INSTITUTE IS WORKING WITH UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND UNDER SEPARATE GRANT.