| [MOE 22/01/2003]
Guyana's Proposal for Funding to meet the goals of Education For All by 2015 has been accepted by the International Donor Group. Guyana stands to receive approximately US$52 Million over the period 2003 to 2015. Funds will be targeted to achieve one of the primary goals of EFA, that of universal completion of primary education.
In a meeting in April 2000 in Dakar, countries of the world endorsed a Framework of Action to achieve six education goals which included universal primary education by 2015. It was agreed that no country with a credible plan to achieve these goals would be twarted by lack of resources. It was proposed that a 'fast-track' process be initiated for a limited number of countries with sound education policies who required support.
Eighteen countries, including Guyana, met the full set of criteria for support and were invited to submit proposals. After extensive consultations with stakeholders Guyana submitted its proposal in September 2002. Representatives of donor agencies at a meeting in Brussels in November 2002 accepted the proposals of the first set of seven countries including Guyana.
Guyana's Proposal focused on three major initiatives:
- Improving the Quality of the Teaching Force in the Hinterland
- Training of qualified teachers using the Guyana Basic Education Teacher Training (GBET) distance education approach
- Continuous professional development for all trained teachers
- Establishing satellite learning centers for teachers within a school cluster
- Improving the conditions of service for teachers
- Enhancing the Teaching/Learning Environment in Primary Schools
- Accelerating the Establishment of the Escuela Nueva Learning Model
- Establishing Child Friendly Classrooms in the Coastal schools
- Improving the status of utilities across all schools
- Provision of textbooks
- Strengthening School Community Partnerships
- Accelerating the Implementation of School Improvement Plans in all Schools
- Upgrading the present School Feeding Program in the Hinterland
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