U.S and Somalia governments sign bilateral agreement for Education Development

horndiplomat-(Mogadishu)On behalf of the United States of America and the Federal Government of Somalia, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) signed a bilateral agreement today to formalize USAID’s support for educational development in Somalia.According Statement from U.S Agency for International Development (USAID).

The USAID Assistant Administrator for Africa, Linda Etim, the U.S. Ambassador to Somalia, Stephen Schwartz, the Minister of Education, Culture and Higher Education Mr.Abdulkadir Abdi Hashi, and the Minister of Finance Mr. Mohamed Aden Ibrahim, presidedover the signing ceremony.

The Limited Scope Grant Agreement for Basic Education and Program Management is the first bilateral development agreement between the U.S. Government and the FGS, and will govern approximately $65 million in U.S. assistance over a five-year period. The agreement reflects USAID’s commitment to partner with the FGS to equitable access to quality basic education and learning for all Somalis, including marginalized children and other out-of-school youth. Activities implemented under this agreement will have a special focus on increasing girls’ enrollment and retention in school, and training qualified female teachers from communities across Somalia.

“The U.S. Government is committed to support the Federal Government of Somalia’s efforts to restore basic education for Somali children and strengthen the Ministry of Education’s capacity to manage and lead the education sector,” said USAID Assistant Administrator, Linda Etim.

For the past four years, USAID has contributed approximately $50 million dollars to Somalia’s educational sector, resulting in the enrollment of more than 21,000 secondary school students and increased opportunities for over 86,000 out-of-school youth. USAID support for education in Somalia focuses on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of secondary schools and classrooms, training qualified teachers, providing quality teaching and learning materials, and increasing educational opportunities for pastoralist children.