VIENTIANE - Japan will extend approximately $30 million to Lao PDR for the improvement of secondary schools, waste management and the enhancement of meteorological and hydrological services, local media reported on Wednesday.

Approximately $10.37 million will be spent on the improvement of specific secondary school environments.

A total of 45 lower secondary schools will be renewed or expanded and 235 will be fully furnished. New classrooms will be constructed as well as libraries, laboratories and dormitories. An approximate 10,000 lower secondary school students will be positively affected by the grant.

Some $13.5 million will be spent to improve hard waste management in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Xayaboury provinces. The grant will allow for the construction of a waste transfer station as well as the provision of waste collection vehicles, waste transfer trailers and other heavy equipment.

The remaining $5.62 million will assist a project aimed at increasing the quality of meteorological and hydrological data collection and distribution.