Boucher acknowledged that more needed to be done, but pointed out progress in construction of roads and electricity grids in parts of the country.

CNN: Donors to pledge $15B to rebuild Afghanistan

Investigators found instances in which military officials accepted bribes from contractors, major construction projects had fallen short of expectations and government disarray hampered progress in Iraq.

WSJ: U.S. Is Hit on Iraq, Afghan Outlays

Reactor plans, orders and even in-progress construction evaporated.

FORBES: Yellowcake Fever

She said that planning applications would be submitted in the next few weeks and construction work will start in the summer "with a large number of procurements for other schools in progress".

BBC: School rebuilding record 'woeful', says Labour