The President’s Initiative for Expanding Education
On May 31, 2007, President George W. Bush announced the creation of a new effort to assist international education in developing countries, the President’s Initiative for Expanding Education. On September 24, 2007, First Lady Laura Bush announced that Dr. Thomas Corts would serve as Coordinator of the new program.
In his capacity, the Coordinator is to build upon U.S. assistance for basic education, focusing new energy and resources on special support to: Ethiopia, Ghana, Honduras, Liberia, Mali, and Yemen, beginning in Fiscal Year 2008. The six countries have demonstrated a strong commitment to educational improvement, including qualifying as Fast Track Initiative countries. Thus, they have demonstrated comprehensive plans for the improvement of basic education in their nations, and a commitment to maintain financial transparency, while increasing spending on schools.
Where possible, the President’s Initiative strives to achieve synergies with existing interventions in other sectors, such as global health (HIV-AIDS, malaria, neglected tropical diseases) and economic growth. The new Initiative will likely support new efforts that (a) have a potential for dramatic and near-term results; (b) can be readily evaluated and assessed; (c) represent a dramatic breakthrough or novel achievement; (d) directly impact the lives of individuals.
It is estimated the Initiative will involve $525 million over five years. The President’s Initiative for Expanding Education represents the third Presidential Initiative that focuses on the international education sector, following the Centers for Excellence in Teacher Training and the Africa Education Initiative.
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