2 USAID-funded schools inaugurated in Aqaba

AMMAN — On the second day of her visit to schools in Aqaba, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Sherry F. Carlin with Minister of Public Works Yahya Kisbi and Ministry of Education Secretary General Najwa Qubailat inaugurated two USAID-funded schools in Aqaba. 

Carlin's visit highlighted the commitment of the US government to enable all students in Jordan to have safe learning environments, reduce overcrowding, and increase access to inclusive basic education, according to a USAID statement.

Carlin participated first in a ribbon cutting to inaugurate the Al Tasea’ Basic Mixed School. 

This school will allow the Ministry of Education to reduce overcrowding in neighbouring schools and is considered as one of the best public schools in Aqaba, the statement said. Parents, neighbouring schools, and local community institutions all benefit from its services, the statement added. 

Following the ribbon cutting, Carlin visited the school’s physics and vocational labs, viewed student artwork, and discussed the school’s counselling programme.

Later, Carlin visited the Al Amal Inclusive School and inaugurated the school in a ribbon cutting ceremony. The school is the first fully-integrated school in Jordan and provides services to students who are deaf and hearing throughout the Aqaba governorate. 

Before the ceremony, Carlin toured the school and visited the school’s innovative and accessible classrooms designed for students of all abilities. She also visited with community members and learned about how the school has transformed their community.

During her visit to the Al Amal Inclusive School, Carlin highlighted the importance of quality education for the Kingdom’s prosperity and, in particular the importance of inclusive education saying: “When we invest in inclusive education, we invest in the human potential of all of Jordan’s children and youth.”

For his part, Kisbi said that the USAID-funded cooperation projects between the ministries of public works and education have helped in achieving the goals of the national strategy for education, through  providing a modern and comprehensive learning environment, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

It has also enhanced people with disabilities' inclusion in the educational process, in addition to reducing overcrowding in classrooms, and cutting the number of schools that operate in double shifts, he added.