KHUJAND, August 20, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- Local authorities in the northern Sughd province are taking measures to tackle the school shortage problems.

According to the Sughd education directorate, 12 new schools to accommodate totaling 4,118 pupils and 45 additional classes for 7,000 pupils are scheduled to be built in the province before the end of this year.  

The source at the Sughd education directorate said that in the school year of 2007-2008, schools in northern Tajikistan needed 82,370 more seats.  

            Construction of news schools and classes is financed mainly by local budgets, presidential reserve fund, sponsors and parents, the source noted.  

883 general schools currently function in the Sughd province.