DUSHANBE, July 4, 2008, Asia-Plus  - A roundtable meeting to discuss issues related to financing education sector and cooperation between the Ministry of Education (MoE) and international organizations was held in Dushanbe on July 4.  

The meeting brought together senior representatives of MoE, international organizations and NGO to consider joint measures to determine common approaches to solution of problems facing the country’s education sector and develop strategies of further interaction in enhancing the education sector.

Speaking at the meeting, Education Minister Abdujabbor Rahmonov underlined an important role of international and local public associations in implementing the education sector enhancement support projects. 

The minister called on international organizations to continue providing assistance with rehabilitation and construction of educational facilities in Tajikistan.  

Rahmonov noted that Dushanbe alone now needs additional schools to accommodate totaling 63,000 pupils.  Because of shortage of classes, 13 schools in Dushanbe have to work in three shifts.

 Dwelling on partnership with international organization in enhancing the education sector and financing the country’s educational system, the minister, in particular, hailed activities of the World Bank, Catalytic Fund and German Agency for Technical Assistance (GTZ) in that direction.  

The meeting participants adopted a resolution requiring expansion of cooperation between the MoE and international and public associations, determination of priorities of the education development support projects, strengthening of the role of international organization in implementation of national education development programs, as well as technical and consultative assistance of donor partners in organization of activity of the national single testing center.