English.news.cn　 2011-12-06 20:14:23

 

NIAMEY, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- China has agreed to fund the construction of two schools, each with 10 classes, in the Nigerien capital Niamey.

An agreement of 1.5 billion FCFA (3.2 million U. S. dollars) was signed on Monday in Niamey between Niger's National Education Minister Madam Ali Mariama Elhadj Ibrahim and the Chinese ambassador to Niger, Xia Huang.

"This project has been signed because it's in line with the government's objectives. Niger has about 40,000 grass thatched classes which need to be replaced with permanent structures," the education minister.

The Chinese ambassador said China will reinforce cooperation with Niger in the education sector.

"We shall continue to assist you to achieve the goals that have been set by President Mahamadou Issoufou in his development program for Niger," the ambassador declared.

The construction work to be launched this year will be done by Chinagio Ingenering Coorporation International (CGC), a Chinese firm in Niger since 1987.

The signing of the agreement came shortly after Nigerien Prime Minister Brigi Rafini met with the country's technical and financial partners to express concerns about the challenges facing the Nigerien education sector, some of which "the government cannot overcome alone."

"Without satisfying these needs, it's illusionary to speak about an effective education system which is less performing," Rafini told the country's partners.

Editor: Zhang Xiang