SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION

SECONDARY & PREPARATORY SCHOOLS WILL BE CONSTRUCTED & EQUIPPED IN THE PORTUGUESE CITIES OF: PONTINHA, FUNCHAL, RIBEIRA GRANDE, RABO DE PEIXE, OLIVAIS, LECA DA PALMEIRA, BOTICAS, FERREIRA, CANAVESES, CHELAS, AZAMBUJA, MATOZINHOS, VILA NOVA GAIA, OURIQUE, BRAGA, SILVES, EVORA, LEIRIA & SANTAREM. $100, 000-WORTH OF US CAMERAS, CABLE, SOUND-LIGHT EQUIPMENT & ACCESSORIES WILL BE PURCHASED FOR USE IN EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION. THIS EDUCATIONAL TV EQUIPMENT WILL BE USED TO SET UP A "TELESOLA" STATION IN PORTO, SIMILAR TO LISBON"S EXISTING STATION & EDUCATIONAL COURSES WILL BE DEVELOPED AT A LATER TIME. AFTER FINAL INSPECTION OF CONSTRUCTED BUILDINGS & FINAL DISBURSEMENT OF LOAN PROCEEDS, A DETAILED EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT WILL BE CONDUCTED, COVERING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:1) EFFECT ON LEARNING ENVIRONMENT OF REDUCED PUPIL-TO-CLASSROOM RATIO; 2) QUALITY & ADEQUACY OF TEACHING STAFF; 3) ATTENDANCE OF PUPILS; 4) USE & AVAILABILITY OF TEXTS & TEACHING AIDS; 5) BUILDING USE FOR OTHER PURPOSES; 6) MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS; AND 7) CREATION OF EMPLOYMENT IN CONSTRUCTION AND EDUCATION FIELDS. AID PROVIDES THE CAPITAL ASSISTANCE LOAN TO THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION. HOST COUNTRY PROVIDES PERSONNEL FOR CONSTRUCTION AND SUPPORTS ANY PROJECT COSTS ABOVE THE 80% OF LOCAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS REIMBURSED BY AID. THE PRIMARY BENEFICIARIES WILL BE THE 12000 SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN WHICH THE NEW BUILDINGS WILL PROVIDE FOR. CONSTRUCTION WORKERS AND EDUCATIONAL PERSONNEL, WHOSE JOBS WERE CREATED BY THE NEW CONSTRUCTION, ALSO BENEFIT. OTHER DONORS WHO CONTRIBUTE TO PORTUGAL"S EDUCATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE WORLD BANK, FOR CONSTRUCTION OF LIBRARIES, TEACHER/STUDENT RESIDENCES; THE GOVERNMENT OF SWEDEN FOR AN EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM; AND OECD AND THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE FOR SHORT-TERM EDUCATIONAL TRAINING PROG