The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has said it is in the process of completing the construction of 33 new independent schools and kindergartens, and these will be ready to receive students for the 2015-2016 academic year.

Once ready, these buildings will be handed over to the Supreme Education Council.

The new schools are located in areas such as Nuaija, Al Jamilah, Baaya, Al Rayyan, Al Hilal, Dahl Al Hamam, Aba Al Hirayn, Rawdat Rashid, Karaana, Old Airport, Thamid, Onaiza and Al Wukair, local Arabic daily Arrayah has reported.

A source in Ashghal has told the daily that the authority is currently building 38 new schools and kindergartens at QR737bn, 33 of which will be completed before the start of the coming academic year.

Last year, he noted, Ashghal started constructing five schools in Ain Khalid, Al Fruwsh and Al Ghwayriyah. Around 25% of these works has been accomplished.

Each of the under-construction school buildings covers some 9,159sqm and comprises two stores, 25 classrooms, halls, laboratories and administrative offices, accommodating 650 students. These will also include playgrounds.

Meanwhile, the kindergartens will include 12 classrooms each, which can accommodate up to 240 children. All of them will include play areas and various activity rooms, in addition to green spaces and administrative and service offices.

Similarly, Ashghal recently signed contracts to build another 17 schools and six kindergartens at an estimated QR260mn in different parts of the country.

Work has already started on such projects, which are scheduled for completion by the third quarter of 2016. [Al Raya]