Lahore, July 21, 2009 - A new five-year, $75 million U.S.-funded program to improve Pakistan's teacher skills and qualifications was officially launched in Lahore on Tuesday. The Pre-Service Teachers Education Program (Pre-STEP) program is a cooperative endeavor between the U.S. government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Punjab's Ministry of Education. USAID had previously signed an MOU at the national level and is establishing the program in each province.

"We all recognized the great need for improving the skills and qualifications of new teachers in order for Pakistan's overall education system to improve. We are committed to supporting Pakistan in its education reforms…notably, we plan to develop closer ties with Punjab province on education programs specifically, and on broader development issues, especially in southern Punjab," said USAID Pakistan Mission Director Robert Wilson.

The Pre-STEP program is designed to improve the quality of basic education in Pakistan by strengthening teacher education and skills. The program will assist teachers in updating and upgrading their qualifications.

Pre-STEP works in partnership with Pakistan's Higher Education Commission, the Federal Ministry of Education, the provincial Departments of Education, and teacher institutions to build on existing structures and programs. The program will support 15 universities and 75 teacher colleges as instruments for change of academic standards in teacher education.

Since 2002, the US Government has provided more than $3.4 billion to Pakistan for improvements in economic growth, education, health, governance, and assistance for earthquake reconstruction.