U.S. Provides 5.5 Million English Language Textbooks for Elementary School Children in Ethiopia

Press Release

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – USAID Ethiopia Mission Director Dennis Weller presented to Ethiopia’s State Minister of Education Ato Fuad Ibrahim 5.5 million English language text books for primary school children in grades 2, 3 and 4. USAID’s Textbooks and Learning Materials Program (TLMP) developed the textbooks in cooperation with the Ministry of Education of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. USAID printed the textbooks to allow each child in grades 2, 3 and 4 to have the learning material. In prior years, USAID has developed, printed and donated English textbooks for other grades of primary schools.

“These books will serve to improve the English language skills of students in grades 2 to 4 in over 28,000 Ethiopian schools nationwide, in support of the Ministry of Education’s General Education Quality Improvement Program,” said Mission Director Weller.

Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University collaborated on textbook design, development and production with the Ethiopian Ministry of Education. The English textbooks are fully aligned with Ethiopia’s national curricula, are culturally relevant to the Ethiopian context, and incorporate significant cross-cutting themes, such as gender sensitivity and equity, hygiene, HIV/AIDS and community responsibility.

“This partnership between the government and people of Ethiopia and the government and people of the United States to improve basic education started since USAID first came to Ethiopia 50 years ago, during which time the U.S. Government has contributed to increasing access to primary schools, especially for children in hard to reach areas and girls, improving the quality of education, building the capacity of teachers, strengthening partnerships between the school and community, and enabling females to complete secondary and higher education,” added Mission Director Weller.

The symbolic presentation ceremony was held at the Ministry of Education in Addis Ababa and was presided over by State Minister Fuad Ibrahim and attended by Regional Education Bureau heads; and officials from the Ministry of Education and USAID Ethiopia. The book donation is valued at almost $6 million dollars.

Source: Embassy of the United States of America, Addis Ababa - http://ethiopia.usaid.gov/node/382