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Increased and Improved Social Sector Investments and Transparency
USAID is a forerunner in the Education for All – Fast Track Initiative (EFA-FTI), which focuses on decentralization and increasing the efficiency of the formal education system. Plans are being developed with the Ministry of Education to decentralize its alternative basic education system (EDUCATODOS), which will involve local and private-sector entities in managing the program. USAID bolsters efforts to decentralize the health system and plays a significant role in conceptualizing a new, multi-donor, sector wide approach (SWAP) based on the formulation of a new national health plan. The delivery of quality services is a special concern in both health and education; specific activities are designed to measure and improve services according to established norms. USAID promotes the inclusion of gender and family life issues and HIV/AIDS themes into the curriculum and teaching materials developed for the alternative basic education program for out-of-school youth and young adults. Likewise, the other USAID programs integrate the HIV/AIDS theme into their activities as appropriate through information, policy tools and collaborative activities.
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USAID focuses on promoting health and education reforms at the national level. USAID supports the process of decentralization of health and education, which contributes to the responsiveness, accountability and transparency of these sectors. In order to strengthen the sectors, USAID is responding to new health and education reform initiatives, expanding public/private partnerships, and encouraging the government’s commitment to reform. These activities harmonize with USAID’s support to municipalities, which involves decentralization, community participation and improved transparent governance.