Ireland / Minister Joe Costello launches new school programme in poorest part of Uganda

DUBLIN, Ireland, December 5, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Minister for Trade and Development Joe Costello TD has launched a school rehabilitation programme in Uganda.

The Minister launched the programme in Karamoja, the poorest area in the country during a visit to see the impact of Ireland's support to Uganda's most vulnerable communities and explore options to strengthen trade between Ireland and Uganda.

The Irish Aid-funded Karamoja Primary Education Programme (KPEP) involves the rehabilitation of 21 primary schools in Karamoja, the poorest region in Uganda, where three quarters of the population lives below the poverty line and where literacy rates stand at 11%.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Costello said:

“The construction and rehabilitation of classrooms, dormitories, teachers' accommodation and kitchens will support the poorest children in Uganda to access education, thereby improving their lifelong prospects and breaking the persistent cycle of poverty in a country where almost half the population is under the age of 15.”

The Minister also greeted the news that the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) has granted Uganda $100 million for the next three years to support the education sector:

“Ireland coordinates the GPE's work in Uganda. I believe that this major grant will further enhance, and contribute to the provision of quality education for the nation's youth.”