USAID to provide $3.4m for teachers’ education

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the Federal Education Directorate for a $3.4 million three-year programme to strengthen teachers’ education in Pakistan.

Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the programme will establish a new framework for teachers’ accreditation and management in basic education. Implemented by UNESCO, the project will fundamentally reform approaches to policy, organisation, institutional roles and classroom delivery at all levels. “Education is one of the key components of our broad and growing strategic relationship with Pakistan,” said US Ambassador Ryan C Crocker.

Speaking on the occasion, the USAID Pakistan Education Office Director Dr Randy L Hatfield declared the programme a critical step towards improving teachers quality of education and professional development in Pakistan. Based on consultations with the Education Ministry, USAID’s education programme in Pakistan is designed to increase quality education for all Pakistanis. The US has contributed approximately $200 million in educational assistance since 2002, and has pledged a further provisional $60 million in 2007 to expand educational opportunities.

Meanwhile, two USAID supported projects - one in maternal and newborn health, the other in effective local governance - were marked in Sukkur today. “We will continue to work together to improve the lives and future of Sukkur’s women and children,” said USAID Pakistan Mission Director Jonathan Addleton.

Addressing a social mobilisation function titled ‘A Tribute to Mothers’, organised by the USAID-funded health project ‘Pakistan Initiative for Mothers and Newborns (PAIMAN)’ at the Taluka Hospital Rohri, Addleton praised PAIMAN volunteers and called their work “a most precious and noble undertaking”. The event’s purpose, which included a stage performance and the planting of a tree, was to generate public and official support for providing 24-hour emergency obstetric and newborn care through Sukkur’s health facilities.