About 78 primary and secondary schools throughout the country stand to benefit from a multimillion dollar funding assistance under the European Union Funded Fiji Education Sector Programme.

Over $13 million worth of building contracts have been awarded to seven local contractors to construct 111 buildings which include classrooms, hostels, dining halls, ablution blocks and other school buildings.

Education Minister Filipe Bole said the government is grateful to the European Union for its continued support to the Education Sector here in Fiji.

Bole said the main thrust of the program is the improvement and upgrading of rural education for the benefit of our rural communities, and the outcome of the programme has seen rural students and teachers enjoying modern facilities.