AJLOUN – U.S. Ambassador Alice G. Wells, Minister of Education Dr. Mohammad Thnaibat, Minister of Public Works and Housing Eng. Sami Halaseh, and USAID/Jordan Mission Director Beth S. Paige today signed a certificate acknowledging that the U.S. Agency for International Development will support Jordan’s education development over the next five years for up to $140 million. The projects will expand 120 schools, renovate another 150 schools, and build 300 kindergartens and 50 sports fields and facilities across the Kingdom. The signing took place at Hettien Mixed Basic School in Ajloun, which was built with U.S. Government funds.
“We are proud to be working hand in hand with our partners to improve the future for Jordan’s youth,” Ambassador Wells said, referring to the collaboration between USAID, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Public Works and Housing.
The Ambassador and Ministers congratulated the school community on their achievements and thanked them for their commitment to the new school and its students. Ambassador Wells also donated 200 children’s reading books to the school to develop reading in the early grades.
Dr. Thnaibat thanked the U.S. Government and the USAID for supporting the education sector through numerous projects and local partners for their support in carrying out these projects.
Hettien Mixed Basic School’s design and construction was funded by the American people through USAID’s Jordan School Construction and Rehabilitation Program (JSP). JSP has benefited more than 100,000 students, educators and staff since its inception in 2006. To date, the U.S. Government has funded the construction of 27 new and the expansion of 82 existing schools in Jordan.
USAID’s education program also supports the Ministry of Education’s efforts to improve early grade reading and math studies, teacher training and youth development.
For more information about USAID’s education programs, please visit http://www.usaid.gov/jordan/education and http://www.ird.org/our-work/programs/jordan-school-construction-rehabilitation-program.
