Brussels, 18/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB), represented by its vice president, Carlos da Silva Costa, and the government of Andalusia, represented by the minister of finance and public administration, Carmen Martinez Aguayo, have signed in Seville, in the presence of the president of Andalusia, José Antonio Griñan, a €400 million loan for financing the construction of new schools and refurbishment of existing facilities throughout Andalusia.
The bulk of the loan will go towards the construction of new schools under the “Andalusia Schools” programme to cater for forecast demand for school places in new urban districts. Another large chunk will finance the refurbishment and enlargement of 692 state schools spread throughout the region and accommodating some 175,000 children, along with the 2009-2011 equipment purchasing programme. As well as creating new schools, the project will therefore serve to refurbish and modernise existing schools, equipping them with new technologies and upgrading their sports facilities. The government of Andalusia has also launched a programme to improve teaching quality in schools. This comprises mainly in-service teacher training courses and quality assurance audits. It is an important addition to the EIB-financed project. (L.C./transl.jl)