USAID Provides Education Services to 1,800 Schools in Ethiopia 

March 13, 2007 
No 07/08

Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) – The American people, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Community-School Partnership Program, have awarded a $10 million contract to the non-governmental organization, Save the Children (USA).  The three-year program will provide support to 1,800 schools in predominately pastoralist communities and remote areas in eight regions of Ethiopia.

USAID has been supporting basic education in Ethiopia for the last 12 years, working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education.  The Community-School Partnership Program will strengthen communities’ engagement in educational development, supported by a grant to each school. The program will use a more holistic approach, combining health and water and sanitation resources to strengthen and mobilize community groups in the education and health sectors to improve services in both categories.  For example, 900 schools will receive a safe drinking water supply. 

The program will build upon the existing school organizational management system, in close coordination with community health promoters or institutions, to enhance critical linkages between and among the primary education and health care systems.  Primary health care sites and services will be linked to schools to provide HIV awareness, immunization, vitamin A supplementation and other essential nutrition actions. 

“We are working together to improve not only the quality of education within primary schools, but also the quality of life for primary students,” Dr. Kevin A. Rushing, Acting USAID/Ethiopia Mission Director, said.  “The Community-School Partnership Program brings together parents, teachers, government leaders, health care providers, and students to strengthen schools across Ethiopia.”

Communities will be empowered to participate in the design and management of education services, strengthening community involvement and good governance. The new program will also contribute to the Government of Ethiopia’s decentralization efforts by building the capacity of Parent Teacher Associations, local education and training boards, and district education offices.
 

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