The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has completed the installation under the Local Infrastructure Facility project of new multi-purpose sports facilities in two schools in Turkish occupied Nicosia and one in Kyrenia, as part of the European Union’s support for the winners of the ‘Going Further with Science’ school lab competition, organised to encourage innovative science experiments at the EU-funded science labs within schools in the Turkish Cypriot community.
According to a statement, an event to mark the completion of these installations was held today, attended by representatives from the European Commission, UNDP, the local community, and members of the public, with the initiative representing a broader commitment to improving educational infrastructure and fostering community development within the Turkish Cypriot community.
As stated, the new multi-purpose sports facilities include sport adapted flooring, futsal goals, as well as basketball and volleyball posts, providing students with h
igh-quality facilities to engage in a range of sports activities, supporting both academic and physical education, promoting a holistic approach to learning. The total investment costs of the multi-purpose sports facilities for the three completed schools is EUR 48,972.
Acting Director General of the Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support of the European Commission Judit Rozsa said that student and teachers can use this new facility to its fullest for physical education and sport activities, adding that the European Union, through the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, has consistently supported schools through grants, training opportunities as well as lifelong learning initiatives and is committed to support the education and well-being of new generations of Turkish Cypriot EU citizens.
For her part, Ivana Živkovic, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), emphasized the importance of the initiativ
e, noting that this project reflects the deep connection between education, community engagement, and sustainable development.
‘We are proud to work alongside the EU to create opportunities that enhance both academic and extracurricular experiences for students, contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable future’, she added.
According to UNDP, ‘The Going Further with Science” competition saw participation of more than 50 school teams across the Turkish Cypriot community, with each of the 4 winning schools having been awarded a multi-purpose sports facility, while seven other schools received special jury and public vote awards, earning scientific experiment kits.
The EU has launched a comprehensive programme valued at approximately 4.4 million EUR for the creation of laboratories in primary and secondary schools, aiming to support the Turkish Cypriot community in education and science, the statement concludes.
Source: Cyprus News Agency