Uíge — A total of 169 schools, corresponding to 1,946 class-rooms, were built this year in northern Uige province, as part of the Government's policy to improve the conditions for education in the region, through the public investment programme.

The information was supplied by the provincial director of Education, Culture, Science and Technology in Uige, António Mukanza Kangudi, Sunday at Bungo village, about 70 kilometres of Uige city.

He added that these data concern ten of the province's 16 districts.

He said some of those schools served to absorb students that were attending lessons under inappropriate conditions and others will accommodate new students.

António Mukanza said that 608 new school rooms have already been inaugurated, while another 1,338 are at final stage of completion.

According to the official, three technical institutes will start functioning in 2009 in Uige province, with five courses each.

The official expressed satisfaction, adding that 2008 recorded a rise in the number of students and teachers, as a result of the environment of peace and the improvement of the class-rooms quality.

Meanwhile, acting Uige provincial governor, Miguel Cutoca, who chaired the event, praised the Government's effort, underlining that the new teacher's status in the country is an evidence of the attention given to the class by the authorities.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of political parties, churches, traditional authorities and other guests.