Japan Extends Grant to Support Remote Education in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, February 07, 2002 (WIC)- A grant agreement amounting to 1.8 million US

Dollars was signed today between the Embassy of Japan and the Government of Ethiopia.

The grant will be used by the Ministry of Education to execute the Educational Television and

Radio Recording Studios Project, a press release from the Japanese Embassy here said.

The project aims at improving access to and quality of education, specially in rural areas, and

at increasing the educational opportunities for girls in particular.

Mr. Hiroyoshi Ihara, Ambassador of Japan said at the signing ceremony that in extending the

grant, the Government of Japan was expressing its strong support to the Government of

Ethiopia in its efforts to enhance the country’s education system.

He added that although a significant improvement had been attained in terms of universal

primary education in Ethiopia in the last few years, it was regrettable that still 43 per cent of

school age children could not take advantage of this opportunity.

He underscored that in a developing country like Ethiopia, the role played by the educational

media was crucial.

Not only did it assist in the efforts of improving the quality of education, but it also had an

impact on children and adults who have no access to school and no other means of

instruction, Ambassador Ihara said.