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08 April 2003

U.S. Supporting "Back to School" Program for Iraqi Children

(Grants $1 million to UNICEF to support basic education in Iraq) (330)
The United States is providing $1 million to the U.N. Children's Fund
(UNICEF) to support a "Back-to-School" campaign for the children of
Iraq, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has
announced.
In a news release distributed to reporters April 8, USAID said that
reactivating and reforming Iraq's primary education system is a key
U.S. priority.
Following is the text of the release:
(begin text)
U.S. Agency for International Development
Washington, D.C.
USAID Announces Grant to UNICEF
For Education Services in Iraq
Washington, DC - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
has announced a $1 million, one-year grant to the United Nations
Children's Fund (UNICEF) to provide support for basic education in
Iraq. UNICEF has been active in Iraq for over 50 years, working in the
fields of primary and secondary education as well as education
planning and management. The U.S. government has made reactivation and
reform of the Iraqi primary education system a key priority in its
reconstruction planning.
"The children of Iraq are the country's future," said USAID
Administrator Andrew S. Natsios. "This grant will help ensure regular
school attendance, a critical element in creating a stable and
functioning society in Iraq."
UNICEF will promote a "Back-to-School" campaign aimed at the over 25
percent of children currently not attending primary school, most of
whom are female. As security permits, UNICEF will conduct rapid
assessments to determine the availability of school materials. It will
also work to set up temporary schools where none presently are
functioning, train teachers, and establish accelerated learning
programs throughout the country. The grant will also assist UNICEF in
developing an education management system to improve education
planning and management countrywide.
For more information on USAID's humanitarian relief and reconstruction
efforts in Iraq, please visit www.usaid.gov/iraq/
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)