The Government of Japan provided schools in Kyrgyzstan with equipment for emergency preparedness and IT equipment worth $1.3 million. UNICEF Office in the Kyrgyz Republic reported.

The organization noted that in cooperation with the National Red Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan, UNICEF purchased and distributed 15,000 pieces of emergency preparedness equipment among 600 educational institutions, as well as 863 computers among 100 schools across the country.

«The donated equipment includes megaphones, hand sirens, fire shields, evacuation stretchers, first aid kits, disaster risk information boards and emergency door handles. These kits were purchased as part of the project «Enhancing Children’s Resilience to Climate and Disaster Risks in the Kyrgyz Republic», which is implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Emergency Situations with funding from the Government of Japan. In total, it is planned to cover about 900,000 schoolchildren in 1,800 schools of the republic,» UNICEF stressed.

In addition to emergency preparedness equipment, complete sets of computers have been distributed among selected educational institutions in the new settlements of Bishkek and Osh, as well as in rural areas within another project funded by the Government of Japan. These schools have been chosen by the Ministry of Education and Science as strategic points for expanding digital learning and improving students’ numeracy and literacy skills.

UNICEF noted that this project is designed to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education system. It will last until August 2024, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4: ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Source: 24.kg News Agency