The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded a $96.9 million contract to RTI International to improve Lebanon’s education system. The five-year program, called Quality Instruction Towards Access and Basic Education Improvement (QITABI) 3, will focus on improving literacy and numeracy skills, fostering social and emotional learning (SEL), and establishing inclusive education standards.
The program will be implemented in collaboration with Lebanon’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE) and the Center for Educational Research and Development (CRDP). It is expected to reach an estimated 350,000 students and 25,000 educators.
“This is a groundbreaking project that has the potential to revolutionize the quality of education across Lebanon,” said Julie Southfield, the USAID Mission Director in Lebanon. “We believe that quality education is a catalyst for robust economic growth and profound transformative change.”
QITABI 3 will adopt a comprehensive approach to educational enhancement. It will provide essential technical support to the MEHE and CRDP to bolster inclusive curricula, research capabilities, and assessment practices. The program will also develop and implement innovative teaching and learning methods, and provide professional development opportunities for educators.
In addition to improving learning outcomes, QITABI 3 will also focus on promoting equity and inclusion. It is dedicated to ensuring that even the most vulnerable members of society, including children with disabilities, have access to quality education.
“This program is a testament to the enduring partnership between the United States and Lebanon,” said Southfield. “We are committed to nurturing the nation’s young minds and equipping them for a brighter tomorrow.”
USAID has a long history of supporting education in Lebanon. Since 2013, the U.S. Government, through USAID, has invested over $500 million in Lebanon’s education sector. These investments have helped to improve access to education, improve the quality of education, and promote equity and inclusion.
QITABI 3 is the latest in a series of USAID-funded initiatives to improve education in Lebanon. The program is expected to make a significant contribution to the country’s development and prosperity.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
