One more school for Ethiopia from UAE to start next year

Al Maktoum Foundation has started construction work of a high school in Addis Ababa. This is the second high school being built by the foundation in the Ethiopian capital this year. It had started work on the first school — located in Nafas Salak area — in March this year and expects to complete it by February 2015.

As part of its pioneering education programmes in Africa, the foundation signed an agreement to build the second high school on September 4, 2014, a top official said.

Mohammed Obaid bin Ghannam, Secretary-General of the foundation, told Khaleej Times that the school, worth $563,411, is located in the Ayat Laka area.

“The premises consist of a ground floor and four typical levels, including 20 classrooms, a building for administration, and two laboratories, along with all necessary facilities.”

The school, being built on an area of 5,000 square metres in an important location in Addis Ababa, also includes advanced laboratories for science and computers, as well as a library and a hall for teachers, he added.

“The Al Maktoum Foundation will furnish the two schools, and dedicate a special budget for them both,” he said, noting that the two schools are expected to start operation in the next academic year.

Mirza Hussain Al Sayegh, board member of the Al Maktoum Foundation, had earlier told Khaleej Times that 60 per cent of the foundation’s annual Dh100-million budget is dedicated for programmes abroad.

Al Sayegh pinpointed that the Foundation achievements cover education, health, religious programmes,

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com