Skip Navigation
UPDATED: 21 Jul 2009 GMT
Skip Left Section Navigation
Home

Press Releases 2009

Close Window Lahore, July 21, 2009 - USAID Mission Director Robert Wilson speaking at the launch of the Pre-Service Teachers Education Program (Pre-STEP) a new five-year, $75 million U.S.-funded program to improve Pakistan’s teacher skills and qualifications.
Lahore, July 21, 2009 - USAID Mission Director Robert Wilson speaking at the launch of the Pre-Service Teachers Education Program (Pre-STEP) a new five-year, $75 million U.S.-funded program to improve Pakistan’s teacher skills and qualifications.
enlarge photo
Lahore, July 21, 2009 - USAID Mission Director Robert Wilson speaking at the launch of the Pre-Service Teachers Education Program (Pre-STEP) a new five-year, $75 million U.S.-funded program to improve Pakistan’s teacher skills and qualifications.
Lahore, July 21, 2009 - USAID Mission Director Robert Wilson speaking at the launch of the Pre-Service Teachers Education Program (Pre-STEP) a new five-year, $75 million U.S.-funded program to improve Pakistan’s teacher skills and qualifications.

U.S. Launches $ 75 Million Pre-Service Teachers Education Program (Pre-STEP) In Punjab

July 21, 2009

Lahore - A new five-year, $75 million U.S.-funded program to improve Pakistan's teacher skills and qualifications was officially launched in Lahore on Tuesday. The Pre-Service Teachers Education Program (Pre-STEP) program is a cooperative endeavor between the U.S. government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Punjab's Ministry of Education.  USAID had previously signed an MOU at the national level and is establishing the program in each province.

"We all recognized the great need for improving the skills and qualifications of new teachers in order for Pakistan's overall education system to improve.  We are committed to supporting Pakistan in its education reforms...notably, we plan to develop closer ties with Punjab province on education programs specifically, and on broader development issues, especially in southern Punjab", said USAID Pakistan Mission Director Robert Wilson.

The Pre-STEP program is designed to improve the quality of basic education in Pakistan by strengthening teacher education and skills. The program will assist teachers in updating and upgrading their qualifications.

Pre-STEP works in partnership with Pakistan's Higher Education Commission, the Federal Ministry of Education, the provincial Departments of Education, and teacher institutions to build on existing structures and programs.  The program will support 15 universities and 75 teacher colleges as instruments for change of academic standards in teacher education.

Since 2002, the US Government has provided more than $3.4 billion to Pakistan for improvements in economic growth, education, health, governance, and assistance for earthquake reconstruction.