KABUL - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Sunday announced officially launching Afghan Children Read (ACR), a five-year project in early grade reading (EGR).
A USAID press release issued here said the agency was investing $70 million in the ACR project for primary grades in close coordination with the Afghan Ministry of Education (MoE).
The statement said despite the gains in Afghanistan education, access to quality education remained a challenge.
To help reverse the situation, USAID was investing $70 million in the ACR project to help improve early grade reading skills for primary level students, boys and girls, in grades 1-3 in formal and community based education (CBE) schools.
The ACR project will enable the MoE to utilize best practices of EGR standards towards improving primary level student’s literacy and learning skills at large.
The February 28 launch ceremony was attended by First Lady Rula Ghani, US Embassy Special Chargé d’Affaires Ambassador Hugo Llorens, deputy education minister Rahil Mohammad Formuly and USAID mission director to Afghanistan,. Herbert Smith.
Ministry officials, representatives of UN agencies, heads of national and international educational organizations, civil society and other stakeholders from the education sector were also present on the occasion.
“The United States is committed to promoting education, and we passionately believe that education offers the best and surest path for a brighter future for Afghanistan.” said Ambassador Llorens said.
“The Afghan Children Read Program is a clear example of this sacred commitment and it will directly advance opportunities for more than one million children in primary grades.”
“A good education is the best gift we can ever give our children and their success depends on how educated they are in life,” said Rula Ghani. “I welcome and encourage any and all efforts that improve the state of education in Afghanistan.” (Pajhwok)