U.S. government helps to reduce school dropout in Tajikistan

DUSHANBE, November 22, 2011, Asia-Plus -- The United States Agency for International Development School Dropout Prevention Pilot Program (USAID/SDPP) held a four-day Dropout Intervention Consultation Workshop, November 15-18, in Dushanbe to discuss strategies to reduce school dropout rates in Tajikistan, according to the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe.

Participants from the Ministry of Education and other government officials, donors, and NGO representatives working in the education sector worked together to develop steps designed to keep students in school.

Quitting school early is a major barrier to economic success in Tajikistan.  The Education Management Information System shows that the rate of school dropouts is highest at the basic and secondary levels, with an average dropout rates ranging from 6 percent to 11 percent by Grade 9, undermining Tajikistan’s efforts to ensure universal basic education.

The USAID School Dropout Prevention Pilot Program is a three-year multi-country program to encourage students to stay in school in Cambodia, India, Timor Leste, and Tajikistan.  In Tajikistan, the project works closely with the Ministry of Education, national and international NGOs, and other funding agencies to identify the specific factors leading to increased school dropout rates.

USAID School Dropout Prevention Pilot Program recently completed an analysis of dropout trends in Tajikistan that identified the geographic areas, grades, and groups of children most likely to drop out of school.  Based on this information, the project will continue working with the Ministry of Education to implement activities to keep at-risk students in school in the Baljuvon, Vose, and Temurmalik districts of Khatlon province.

The USAID School Dropout Prevention Pilot Program is one of the many assistance projects the American people, through the United States Agency for International Development, support in Tajikistan.

Since 1992, the American people have provided approximately $984 million in programs that support Tajikistan’s democratic institutions, health care, education, and economic growth.