Jordan

It's always fun to see what others are doing. It's also nice to know USAID is there to help.

Jordan Times

AMMAN

The expansion of the Education Reform for Knowledge Economy (ERfKE) Support Project in Aqaba and the Southern Governorates — known as "Shorouk" — was launched on Monday.

US Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Anne Aarnes, Minister of Education Khalid Touqan and ASEZA Chief Commissioner Nader Dahabi attended the launch, according to a US embassy statement.

As a lead donor in Jordan's education reform effort, the United States through USAID will aid improvements in primary and secondary education, school construction and expansion of kindergarten facilities, the statement said. During the ceremony, USAID Deputy Mission Director Mike Harvey signed a memorandum of understanding with Touqan, under which USAID will allocate $6 million to fund the implementation of the ERfKE Support Project expansion.

In her address at the ceremony, Aarnes said the project seeks to "improve the access, quality and relevance of education for children and youth. This will include renovating and equipping 37 public kindergartens, establishing around 63 technology labs in secondary schools, training for using information technology in education, and promoting community involvement in education."

She noted that the project will also prepare the schools in Aqaba, Maan and Tafileh for the roll-out of the Ministry of Education's electronic curricula. In addition, it will further enhance the management of information stream for grades 11 and 12, which is designed to equip youth with the skills and knowledge that correspond with the market needs, according to the statement.

Since 2003, USAID has committed $40 million to support the country's ERfKE Programme in two main areas: Early childhood education and youth, technology and careers.

In addition, USAID recently embarked on a $50 million project to construct 28 new schools and rehabilitate 100 public schools. Over the past two years, USAID has worked closely with the Ministry of Education to establish kindergartens in remote and less privileged areas in the country.