MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
Primary school children in Bangladesh will receive a better education through a new Australian supported project, the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Chris Gallus announced today.
'More than one in three children in Bangladesh are still functionally illiterate after five years of schooling,' Mrs Gallus said.
'Australia's initial contribution of $5.9 million over three years will fund the Quality Education for All program.
'The program aims to improve access to education, particularly among children with disabilities, provide professional development opportunities for teachers and improve community involvement in quality education,' Mrs Gallus said.
'With one of the largest primary school education systems in the world, this nationwide initiative will benefit around 80,000 primary schools and 17 million primary school children.
'The Australian Government is working closely with the Government of Bangladesh, international donors and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), to increase primary school enrolment rates and improve literacy levels.
'Education plays a critical role in improving quality of life for children and reducing poverty,' Mrs Gallus said.
Australia has contributed more than $12 million to improving education in Bangladesh since 1998 and will provide $28.7 million in development assistance in 2004-05, with a strong focus on food security.
Media inquiries:
Shane Fairlie (Mrs Gallus' Office) 6277 4840 or 0408 680 442
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489