Press release

$2 Million Reimbursed to Senegal’s Government to Support Building of Middle Schools

DAKAR, Senegal, July 7, 2008 – In an effort to increase the use of host country systems and encourage ownership of development programs, in accordance with the terms of the Paris Declaration, USAID has established a fixed amount reimbursement mechanism with the Government of Senegal (GOS). In exchange for the construction and equipment of nine rural middle schools, including wells for water supply, USAID will reimburse the Senegalese government a total of US $2,158,500.  The mechanism ensures the GOS is fully responsible for procurement, fiduciary operations and carrying out the work financed under this agreement.  Additionally, all the equipment, labor, and materials to be financed under the agreement are in strict accordance with specifications and drawings based on internationally-accepted requirements. The schedules for completing the construction have been discussed and agreed-upon with the GOS while reimbursement will be provided upon a final audit and inspection by USAID.

Since 2003, USAID and its partners, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education, have built or rehabilitated 30 middle schools, especially in rural areas, and helped improve the quality of the teaching and learning environment by carrying out nationwide training programs for teachers and principals in public and private middle schools. An additional 20 schools will be built and another eight schools renovated by early 2008. In view of these results, the program was expanded to $10.6 million in 2007 for a total of $47.4 million for the period 2003-2007. By the end of 2008, approximately 32,000 children – nearly half of them girls – who previously were unable to continue their education will be enrolled in middle schools close to their home. Also, the graduation rate for middle school students is expected to increase by at least eight percent.

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