FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mike Kelleher at mkelleher1@globalpartnership.org

The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Board of Directors approved grants totalling over US$200 million to several of its developing country partners, including Burundi, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan. The Board met November 19-20, 2012 in Paris.

The Board also discussed the implementation of GPE’s strategic plan for 2012-2015; fundraising efforts; the level of funding for GPE developing country partner nations expected to seek assistance over the next two years; standards for agencies that will supervise and manage grants; a proposal for assisting civil society education groups; potential changes to representation on the Board of Directors; and a proposal to accelerate education support for nations in conflict or other emergency situations.

A full description of the Board's decisions is posted on GPE’s website.

Grants Awarded to Burundi, Chad, DRC and South Sudan

The grants awarded were for implementation of each country’s education sector plan. These plans are designed by the developing country partner government—with assistance from GPE’s partners working in each country—and are intended to help provide access to quality basic education for children living in some of the poorest nations in the world.

Countries receiving grants, the amounts and their purpose include:

• Burundi, US$52.9 million, to support efforts to achieve gender parity in education, increase math and early grade reading proficiency rates, and construct schools to relieve severe school overcrowding.

• Chad US$47.2 million to build classrooms; provide school meals; provide teaching and learning materials; improve in-service and pre-service teacher training systems; enhance non-formal education and adult literacy programs; and strengthen local education managers’ capacity.

• Democratic Republic of Congo, US$100 million, to help increase access to primary education through the rehabilitation and construction of classrooms; improve student learning achievement through better learning materials and strengthened teacher training; and improve management in the education sector.

• South Sudan, US$36.1 million, to develop standards for student learning outcomes and how they are measured; improve school management and teacher training programs; fund low-cost school construction; acquire teaching materials; and develop non-formal education for out-of-school children.

The Global Partnership for Education is made up of over 50 developing country governments, as well as other donor governments, civil society organizations/NGOs, teacher organizations, international organizations, and private sector organizations and foundations, whose joint mission is to galvanize and coordinate a global effort to provide a good quality education to children, prioritizing the poorest and most vulnerable.