A project on junior high school universalisation in the most disadvantaged areas has prove efficient after six years of implementation, said a senior education ministry official.

The project has promoted the development of junior high school education in disadvantaged areas, thus accelerating the universalisation at the level nationwide, Nguyen Vinh Hien, Deputy Minister of Education and Training, said at a July 24 conference to review the project.

Eiko K. Izawa from the Asian Development Bank said this is the most successful project funded by the regional financial institution, adding that it is the first project that has not asked for more time for fulfilling its set targets.

According to the ADB official, the project’s success is attributed to a proper design, a close coordination between donors and the government, and efforts made by the project management board.

The project was carried out in 17 provinces across the country, offering educational opportunities for students, especially female and ethnic minority ones in disadvantaged areas, according to a report at the conference.

Under the project, 820 classrooms and 978 rooms for day boarders were built at junior high schools and 48 other classrooms at eight vocational training centres.

The project granted scholarships to 210 students from ethnic minority groups to aid their study at teachers’ training colleges.

In addition, the project helped increase the numbers of those to attend junior high school at right age and female junior high school students while reducing the rate of dropouts.-VNA