The Challenge

• Only 33% of children who enroll in primary school complete 9 years of basic education.
• Local government is challenged to manage the decentralized education system and effectively address education disparities.
• Only 17.5% gross enrollment in Higher Education.

The Goal

• Support a decentralized effort for quality and relevant education.
• Build capacity of institutions to improve management and delivery of education services.
• Promote an educated workforce that will advance international investment and stability.

PROGRAMS:

OPPORTUNITIES FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN (OVC)

This program supports Indonesia’s commitment to Education For All (EFA) by laying the foundation for an inclusive education system that focuses on the educational rights and needs of children with visual impairments, hearing impairments, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and autism. The program assists over 10,000 children with special needs to gain access to inclusive schools by 2013.

STRIDING TOGETHER FOR EQUITY IN PAPUA (STEP)

STEP collaboratively builds on activities in education management and governance supported by UNICEF and AusAID.  Working in four districts in Papua and West Papua, USAID supports local government capacity in areas to better manage and govern education services to address disparities in basic education in line with national and provincial policies.

SERASI – COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATION IN PAPUA

SERASI promotes community-generated solutions to issues related to local governance and access to basic education and health services.  USAID provides integrated grants to support activities and organizations that can expand access to quality basic education services to underserved rural/remote indigenous populations through primarily non-formal means.

SESAME STREET INDONESIA / JALAN SESAMA

In partnership with the Sesame Workshop, USAID has supported the development of an Indonesian co-production of the renowned Sesame Street television show known as Jalan Sesama. Since it aired in 2008, more than seven million Indonesian preschoolers have viewed the show and become better equipped to start and stay in school.  Sesame Workshop also works collaboratively with the Ministry of Education and Culture to provide educational materials to 750 early childhood education centers. Direct USAID financial support for Jalan Sesama ended on June 30, 2012. Nonetheless, USAID is continuing to work with Sesame Workshop to promote the long-term sustainability of the initiative.

PRIORITIZING REFORM, INNOVATION, OPPORTUNITIES FOR REACHING INDONESIA’S TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS AND STUDENTS (PRIORITAS) 

PRIORITAS seeks to help the GOI expand access to high quality basic education.  This objective will be achieved by: (1) strengthening pre-service and in-service teacher training and quality in targeted provinces; (2) improving school-level and district-level management and governance to support better teaching and learning; and (3) increasing coordination among GOI agencies and education institutions to improve communication, data-based decision making,  and the effective use of financial and human resources. To achieve these results, PRIORITAS will provide technical assistance, training, and other resources necessary to improve the quality of teaching in teacher training institutions, primary schools and junior secondary schools. Technical assistance will also be provided to the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Religious Affairs to strengthen these organizations.

UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS

The University Partnership program supports collaboration between U.S. and Indonesian institutions of higher education.  The five-year program enables selected institutions to improve the quality of teaching, research, and community service within specific departments and contribute to improving the technical capacity of the Indonesian institutions. Partnership priority areas include public health, education, environmental protection/climate change, civil society, economic growth and agriculture.  USAID has awarded a total of sixteen partnerships involving twelve Indonesian universities and nine U.S. universities.  The existing U.S. and Indonesian partners have focused on a diverse set of topics including establishing a child protection center, integrating health statistics,  adapting to climate change risks, strengthening marine biotechnology, developing geothermal energy and improving agricultural biotechnology.

HIGHER EDUCATION CAPACITY BUILDING (HELM)

The Higher Education Leadership, Management, and Policy (HELM) is a five-year program in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Culture for improving the quality of the higher education system.  HELM will strengthen financial management, general administration and leadership, quality assurance, and collaboration with external stakeholders in higher education institutions.  The project will support strategic planning at the Directorate General for Higher Education while developing models and new approaches in management areas at targeted higher education institutions across Indonesia. 

PROGRAM TO EXTEND SCHOLARSHIPS AND TRAINING TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE IMPACTS (PRESTASI)

PRESTASI supports USAID’s tradition of participant training and human capacity development by providing opportunities for advanced academic degrees in the U.S. and Indonesia.  It will provide training and technical services required to strengthen and expand the base of skilled, high-performing professionals and institutions in Indonesia’s public and private sector.  While previous USAID scholarship programs were offered primarily to government officials, PRESTASI is open to all qualified Indonesians for graduate study in the areas of Education, Health, Economic Growth, Environment, and Democracy/Governance.  Applications may be found at the PRESTASI website and are due in November each year. http://www.prestasi-iief.org/

THE ACEH POLYTECHNIC PROGRAM (TAPP)

TAPP is a public-private partnership between USAID, the Chevron Foundation, Indonesia’s Central Government, and the local authorities of Banda Aceh. It aims to support the Government’s efforts in accelerating economic development through qualified technical education and training, thereby contributing to a competitive local economy that provides income opportunities for Aceh’s youth.

PARTNERSHIPS FOR ENHANCED ENGAGEMENT IN RESEARCH (PEER)

Partnering with the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) through the Partners for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) program, USAID directly supports Indonesian scientists to engage in research projects with NSF-funded researchers in the United States.  The first round of PEER awards were announced in May 2012 and included seven awards to Indonesian researchers on topics that included research related marine biology, forestry, climate change and science education. The next application deadline for PEER will be in November 2012.