13 April 2003
USAID Awards Contract to Revitalize Education in Iraq
(Project to help prepare children for school year beginning September 2003) (520) The Agency for International Development (USAID) announced an initial $2 million contract on April 11 to help meet immediate educational needs in Iraq and "promote participation of the Iraqi people in a sustainable, decentralized educational system." According to a USAID press release, "The U.S. government's goal is to ensure that children are prepared for the new school year beginning in September 2003." The contract was awarded to an international consulting firm, Creative Associates International Inc. (CAII), which will implement the USAID education assistance program in Iraq to increase enrollment and improve primary and secondary education. The education contract is one element in USAID's overall relief and reconstruction effort in Iraq. Following is the text of USAID's April 11 press release: (begin text) USAID Awards Contract to Revitalize Education in Iraq U.S. Agency for International Development Press Release April 11, 2003 Washington -- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) today announced an initial $2 million, 12-month contract to Creative Associates International Inc. (CAII) to address immediate educational needs and promote participation of the Iraqi people in a sustainable, decentralized educational system. The U.S. government's goal is to ensure that children are prepared for the new school year beginning in September 2003. CAII, an international consulting firm with its headquarters in Washington, D.C., will implement a USAID education assistance program, "Revitalization of Iraqi Schools and Stabilization of Education" (RISE). The program is a rapid response effort to increase enrollment and improve the quality of primary and secondary education through short-term immediate impact activities that will lay the foundation for more sustainable reform. Short-term activities will include development of baseline indicators to measure educational progress, and procuring and distributing essential school materials, equipment and supplies. These materials will be provided in time for the new school year to open, reducing any disruptions in classroom education. Child-centered, participatory teaching methods will be introduced to lay the foundations for democratic practices and attitudes among students, parents and teachers. CAII will also work to improve teacher training and school leadership programs, and provide high-level technical assistance to help reform the educational system. As nearly 25 percent of school-age children are not currently attending school, the RISE initiative will pilot accelerated learning programs throughout Iraq and offer short-term, intensive bridge programs to help children re-enter the education system at the appropriate grade levels for their ages. The RISE contract does not include production of textbooks. USAID solicitations related to the production of textbooks on certain school subjects will be forthcoming. This education contract is part of USAID's planned reconstruction assistance to the Iraqi people, aimed at helping maintain stability, ensure the delivery of essential services, and facilitate economic recovery. This is one of eight initial requests for proposals (RFPs) issued by USAID as part of its overall relief and reconstruction efforts in Iraq. For more information on USAID's humanitarian relief and reconstruction efforts in Iraq, as well as the actual education RFP, 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)
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