Support for the Quality and Equity of Education Program

USAID works with 800 school management structures to develop and implement School Quality Improvement Plans
USAID’s $15.4 million Support for the Quality and Equity of Education program is designed to support the Ministry of Education's education reform by providing technical assistance in Teacher Training, Curriculum Development, Community Participation and Adult Literacy. It is implemented by World Education in partnership with six Malian non-governmental organizations (NGOs).


The Teacher Training component of the program aims at introducing “Communities of Learning” that regroup teachers from public, community, and Islamic schools (medersas) in clusters for regular on-site training and professional exchanges. Together, teachers discuss and solve their daily classroom challenges. They also learn how to meet the special needs of disadvantaged groups, including girls. This approach is particularly cost-effective, and allows female teachers to benefit from professional development opportunities without having to travel away from their families. The program opened in August 2003 in 800 schools (446 Public schools, 232 Community schools, 118 Medersas, 4 Private schools), in 105 communes throughout six regions of Mali. In July 31st, 2006, the number of schools supported under the program was reduced to 700 schools (380 Public schools, 213 Community schools, 103 Medersas, 4 Private schools) to accommodate budget cuts, and although these 100 schools are not directly supported, the Communities of Learning are in place and community participation activities continue at these schools.


To strengthen Curriculum Development, the program provided technical support to the Ministry of Education in developing, pilot-testing and validating a new primary school curriculum during the first three years of the program. This new curriculum focuses on basic competencies, life skills and communication throughout all subject areas. USAID also supported teacher training and the development of student achievement tests based on the new curriculum.


To promote Community Participation, USAID works with 800 school management structures (Parent Associations and School Management Committees) to develop and implement School Quality Improvement Plans. This component of the program includes training of partner Malian NGOs to strengthen their organizational development and support to the education sector. The NGOs in turn train Parent Associations and School Management Committees in topics such as Financial Management, Advocacy, and Local Governance. After communities have developed School Quality Improvement Plans, USAID enables their implementation through small grants.


The Literacy component of the program is a non-formal education effort that provides literacy classes for Parent Association (PA) and School Management Committee (SMC) members. The literacy program strengthens the ability of PAs and SMCs to function as sustainable community organizations and to have an impact upon education access, quality, and equity in their communities. The individual literacy program participants gain not only literacy and math skills but also vital content relevant to daily life, to educational quality and equity, and to the management of Parent Associations and SMCs; they also experience schooling, which sensitizes them to their children’s experiences and needs as students.

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last updated: monday, february 25 2008