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China builds primary school in Kenya's coast

Xinhua, March 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Chinese government has constructed a primary school for girls in Taita-Taveta County, Kenya's coastal region.

A statement from Kenya's Ministry of Education, Science and Technology over the weekend quoted the Chinese Embassy as saying that the ultra-modern Mwatate Sino-Africa Friendship Girls Primary School cost about 1.28 million U.S. dollars.

The school has 8 classrooms with the necessary furniture, administration offices, ablution block, a kitchen and underground water tank reservoir, among others.

Guo Ce, Economic and Commercial Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, said the grant for the construction of the school demonstrated the cordial relationship between the people of China and Kenya.

According to officials from the Education Ministry, the main objective of the project is to improve enrollment rates of the girls and assure them of a safe learning environment.

Leah Rotich, Director General with the ministry, said the project is among the three education projects the government cooperated with the Chinese government.

She said the government was committed to ensuring that all children access education irrespective of their gender, and asked adult members of the community in the area to ensure that all children go to school.

"It is saddening to note therefore, the imbalance existing in the enrolment of boys and girls in some schools," Rotich noted, saying early marriages and negative cultural practices are to blame for low enrolment of girls in formal education in the area.

"We have reached a point in the development of our country where all of us should shun practices that retard development," she added.

The boarding school will also be used as a rescue centre for girls who have suffered from various abuses, including gender violence and early marriages in the area. Enditem