Comoros has few natural resources, inadequate transportation links, and a young and rapidly increasing population. A little more than half the estimated population of 600,000 is literate and the quality of teaching in public schools is poor. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. To help improve the level of education, USAID is working with the government of Comoros to support and expand the capacity of teacher training institutions.
Primary school enrolment rates have surged since the political situation has stabilized in the past few years, but the quality of teaching has remained static. The USAID Comoros Education program will help to support and expand the capacity of the Ministries of Education and teacher training colleges to develop and deliver distance education programs to improve teaching practices. By building on experience gained in similar education programs in Kenya, Somalia and Sudan implemented through dot.EDU, it is hoped that teaching methods will improve substantially. It is expected that approximately 2,000 teachers and other key education personnel on the three islands will receive information, training and materials to improve teaching practices.
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