Japan to Build 1,000 Schools in Africa

The Japanese Government recently announced an ambitious plan to build over 1,000 elementary schools in Africa over the next five years. Making the announcement in a policy speech Japan’s Foreign Minister, Masahiko Kuomura, said his government was looking to ensure sufficient places for large numbers of children to acquire basic education. In addition, Japan plans to undertake the training of 100,000 math and science teachers in Africa and to support local communities around some 10,000 existing schools on the continent to increase participation in school management. 400,000 students are set to benefit from the school building initiative in which a total of 5,500 classrooms will be put up.

This may be aimed at boosting Japan's international clout, but it is definately good news for African countries trying to provide a basic education to as many of their citizens as possible.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200804291203.html

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080424a4.html