Press Releases 2008
U.S.-Sponsored Seminar Helps Pakistan Establish Teacher Accreditation Standards in Pakistan
August 27, 2008
Islamabad - The United States government through its Agency for International Development (USAID), in cooperation with the Ministry of Education (MoE), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today launched a two-day seminar to establish teaching accreditation standards in Pakistan.
"Teachers play a key role in building the future of a nation," said Dr. Randy L. Hatfield, Director Education, USAID/Pakistan. "That is why it is important for Pakistan to have a highly trained teaching force that can help Pakistani children reach their full potential."
The seminar brings together Pakistani education professionals and education experts from the United States, Australia, Hong Kong and India to review teacher accreditation in Pakistan and how to develop and to implement accreditation standards. The seminar is part USAID's $3.4 million Strengthening Teacher Education in Pakistan (STEP) project. STEP supports the Government of Pakistan's efforts to strengthen the professional development of teachers and to design national standards for teacher certification and accreditation. The project is being implemented by UNESCO in collaboration with MoE.
Since 2002, the U.S. Government has provided more than $2 billion to Pakistan to improve economic growth, education, health, and governance and to assist with earthquake reconstruction.