Minister of Public Works and Housing Yahya Kisbi, accompanied by Mission Director at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Sherry Carlin, on Wednesday inaugurated two new schools in Aqaba.

During the opening ceremony of al-Amal Sign Language Secondary Coeducation School, Kisbi said the USAID-funded cooperation between the Public Works Ministry and the Education Ministry contributes to achieving the goals of the national strategy for education by providing a modern and comprehensive learning environment that integrates people with disabilities in the educational process, as well as reducing crowdedness in classrooms, and reducing the number of schools operating on the double shift system.

The cooperation will also increase rates of elementary education enrollment to accommodate population growth, he continued, describing the recently-opened schools as a "model of modern schools that we aspire for our kids to be part of."

He said al-Amal Sign Language Secondary Coeducation School, which consists of 3 stories, will give hope to students with hearing disabilities due to its suitable design and special devices.

The building of these new schools will alleviate the burden on the Education Ministry and cover part of the increasing demands, he said, pointing to a USAID-funded project to build 25 schools across the Kingdom, 12 of which have been built.

Kisbi lauded the continuous support of the United States government and people and the USAID, looking forward to further cooperation in the future.

For her part, Carlin said: "When the USAID invests in inclusive education, it invests in human capacities of the Jordanian children and youth."

"We are extremely proud of our partnership with the ministries of public works and education," she added, stressing that the modern schools are an example of a distinguished relation and partnership with the Jordanian government.

Principle of al-Amal School Salam Majali commended the USAID's efforts in building and maintaining schools in Jordan, underscoring that the cooperation serves the local community, especially those with disabilities.

For her part, Principe of the Tase'a Elementary Coeducation School Su'ad Dardasawi said the 4,507 meters 4-story building houses 24 classrooms.