Press Releases 2007
USAID’s Education Program Success In Earthquake-Affected Areas Celebrated
10/25/2007
Islamabad - The Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority
(ERRA) and residents of the earthquake-affected areas of Mansehra and
Bagh today celebrated the first year achievements of the United States
Agency for International Development’s RISE education sector program.
The Revitalizing, Innovating and Strengthening Education (RISE) project
works to rebuild and improve educational infrastructure and deliver
high-quality education to children in the Mansehra and Bagh Districts.
“U.S.
support for education is an investment in the future of Pakistan and
education is always an investment that yields great returns,” Peter W.
Bodde, Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad said at
a one year anniversary commemoration ceremony of the project. “In the
past year, RISE has completed two schools, with 30 more designed or
under construction in Mansehra and Bagh.”
USAID’s $13 million
RISE project is an integral part of the U.S. government’s
reconstruction efforts in the earthquake-affected areas. The project
also helps communities in these districts to improve the quality of
classroom instruction by training teachers and mobilizing
parent-teacher committees to participate in school reconstruction and
maintenance.
“USAID is carrying out a four-year $200 million
Earthquake Reconstruction Program to rebuild schools and hospitals,
expand education and health services and improve economic well-being,”
Mr. Bodde noted.
Mr. Bodde thanked the education authorities of
NWFP and AJK, and expressed appreciation for the “good working
relationship with ERRA” in the early successes of the project. Later in
the ceremony teachers, education administration officials and community
members received certificates and awards for their cooperation with the
project.