WASHINGTON, D.C. — The key to creating a foundation for development in impoverished countries is education. An educated society allows the citizens of a nation to climb up the ladder and make their own decisions.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recognizes the importatnce of education and works with nations like Pakistan and Burma to improve teaching capabilities.
A prominent fact in the discussion of education is that higher levels of education raise individual incomes while also improving health outcomes, especially for women. The agency’s report on their education strategy highlights other important findings about the impacts of education.
One such finding is that basic skills and high-level skills are complementary. As evidenced by experiences in Latin America and Africa, the creation of a small but highly trained groups of professionals does not translate into economic growth for the nation. High-level managers at the top still need a working class that has some form of basic education in order to carry out their goals. This is the understanding behind USAID ‘s education goals for 2015.
USAID Education Goal 1: Improve reading skills for 100 million children in primary grades
USAID will support programs that promote new or improved teaching techniques and learning materials, reorganize teaching curriculum to focus on basic skills and facilitate an open dialogue and interaction between teachers, parents and the community to promote early grade reading.
USAID Education Goal 2: Improve ability of tertiary and workforce development programs to produce a workforce with relevant skills to support country development
USAID will support initiatives that offer training programs and set up vocational and technical schools that serve the poor and other marginalized groups, enhance the quality of higher education that teaches development strategies and techniques, and foster substantive workforce development programs.
USAID Education Goal 3: Increase equitable access to education in crisis and conflict environments for 15 million learners
USAID will ensure equitable and safe access to schools for students and teachers, rebuild schools in dilapidated and war-ravaged villages, and promote healthy interactions through conflict-sensitive education programs.
The USAID knows that education is the fundamental link to sustainable human development and is the driving force behind an inclusive economy– both of which are pillars of democracy.
Sources: United States Agency for International Development, USAID, USAID What We Do, USAID Leadership, Business Recorder
Photo: USAID