Mongolia is 18th largest country in the world by land mass. It is unique, however, in that over half its three million population live in its capital city. The large-scale migration to Ulaanbaatar, literally doubling its population, has occurred relatively recently and has resulted in ongoing social and infrastructure pressures. Among the main problems are air-pollution and lack of schools and kindergartens. Most of the city’s educational facilities were constructed before the population influx began. In the 2017-2018 academic year, 20 schools – or over 6000 students and 140 teachers – are being forced to have classes in three daily shifts. During the winter time, the students from the third shift leave from school in the dark, which, in turn, increases the danger of road accidents.  Some of the, so-called ger districts, where half the population of the city live, are notoriously badly lit – one place is even named ‘the Darkness’.

In response to this increasing problem, the Mongolian government is planning to construct 55 new schools and extend 93 schools as well as 33 kindergartens.