, July 28, Asia-Plus -- An Uzbek-language school has been put into operation in the village of Goch in the Tajik northern district of Asht.

An official opening of opening of the school was held in the village on July 27

Ms. Parvina Azizova, public relations coordinator with “Communities Peaceful Initiatives” (CPI) Program of the Mercy Corps field office in Khujand, has told Asia-Plus that in 2004, the only school in this village was seriously damaged by landslide.  

To rehabilitate the school local residents set up an initiative group.  But for lack f building materials and shortage of funds they failed to complete the work, according to Ms. Parvina Azizova.  “To tackle this problem Mercy Corps’ CPI funded by the United State Agency for International Development (USAID) in cooperation with Asht authorities and local community set the construction of a new school in the village of Goch ,” MS. Azizova said, noting that a total cost of the project was some US$20,000.  A share of the community and local authorities in a form of building materials and manpower has accounted for 48 percent.  “Neighboring communities have provided 30 sets of refurbished school desks and chairs,” the Asia-Plus interlocutor noted.