Tuesday, May 01, 2007

USAID, Macedonia sign project on renovation of 100 primary schools

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Macedonia signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which aims to upgrade the primary education.

Through a Memorandum of Understanding signed today by Patricia Rader, the USAID Mission Director, and Sulejman Rushiti, Macedonia’s Minister of Education and Science, the American people pledged to provide funds to the Ministry to upgrade primary education in Macedonia.

"USAID is committed to quality education for Macedonia’s future," said Patricia Rader, USAID Mission Director.

USAID’s five year Primary Education Project plans to provide a portion of the funding for the renovation of up to 100 primary schools to increase their energy efficiency; improve the use and maintenance of computers; improve the teaching of mathematics and science; and improve school-based assessment.

The project also supports the decentralization process, as primary education increasingly becomes the responsibility of municipalities.

The Ministry of Education and Science has committed to provide up to $600,000 to renovate schools; adopt a strategic maintenance and sustainability plan to maintain computers; and collaboratively carry out on-going math and science training for teachers.

"Last month, our project team visited eight cities in Macedonia to introduce USAID’s Primary Education Project to municipalities and schools and listen to the views of School Directors and Mayors about the needs of Macedonia’s primary schools.” said Keith Prenton, Chief of Party of USAID’s Primary Education Project, "The signing of this Memorandum demonstrates our partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science."

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