Asmara — An investment of USD 20 million will be made for the development of higher learning institutions, according to the Executive Director of the National Board of Higher Learning Institutions, Dr. Tadesse Mehari.

Dr. Tadesse told ERINA that 4.5 million dollars of the total fund will be invested on the Hamelmalo College of Agriculture and the Eritrean Institute of Technology in building new laboratories and introducing new equipments. The rest of the funds will be used in upgrading the capacity of the educators and introducing different educational facilities.

Indicating that over USD 10 million have been spent on the development of higher educational institutions in the past year, Dr. Tadesse pointed out that the colleges will be provided with 200 to 300 new computers and internet connection facilities.

Regarding the new education system guidelines, Dr. Tadesse explained that it is compulsory for every student to complete 8th grade studies and any student who drops out of school after 8th grade for different reasons must complete a year or 6 months of vocational training.

Dr. Tadesse also indicated that the new education system guidelines have been partially in effect since September 2009 and that it will be implemented on a much larger scale in the academic year of 2010/2011. He finally called on students to make use of the numerous educational opportunities made available to them.