USAID Announces First-Ever U.S. Government Strategy on International Basic Education
Today, on International Literacy Day, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that the first-ever U.S. Government Strategy on International Basic Education has been submitted to Congress.
A requirement of the 2017 READ Act, the Strategy recognizes that the U.S. Government’s investments in international education serve as a force multiplier for all of its work in international development. Strengthening education systems in developing countries advances U.S. foreign policy goals, promotes U.S. and international security, and helps accelerate economic growth at home and abroad.
The goal the Strategy is to achieve a world where education systems in partner countries enable all individuals to acquire the education and skills needed to be productive members of society. To accomplish this goal, the U.S. Government has two principal objectives:
- Improve learning outcomes; and
- Expand access to quality basic education for all, particularly marginalized and vulnerable populations.
The Strategy is the result of a collaborative process between USAID and nine other U.S. Government departments and agencies, including the Department of State, Department of the Treasury, Department of Labor, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense, Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), National Security Advisor, and Director of the Peace Corps, as well as numerous consultations with implementing partners, advocacy organizations, congressional representatives and others.