Skopje - After six years, the USAID Primary Education Project (PEP) has successfully completed its activities supporting Macedonia’s education system to improve its efficiency, quality, and performance through school renovations, ICT in education, improving math and science, improving school based assessment and workforce development.
 
“I am proud that the U.S. Mission in Skopje, through USAID, has been working with all primary schools in Macedonia to provide a better learning environment for students, ongoing professional development for teachers, and stronger management capacities for the schools,” said U.S. Ambassador Paul Wohlers. “The U.S. Government will continue to engage in the education sector in Macedonia.  We continue to improve the work readiness of Macedonia’s youth through USAID’s Youth Employability Skills Network, and we will work to improve inter-ethnic integration in the education system with a large new activity that we will launch in March.”

Key project accomplishments include:

• 17,500 teachers, school professionals and municipal staff in interactive teaching, ICT, math, science and assessment methods trained
• 8,202 issued certificates to trained teachers who used new teaching methodologies
• 288,400 copies of various printed educational materials produced
• 130 primary schools renovated
• established technology labs and provided educational equipment in all schools in Macedonia

Students, teachers, school directors, and representatives from the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Information Society and Administration, the Bureau for Development of Education, the State Education Inspectorate, and other educational institutions participated in the Closing Ceremony. 

NOTE TO EDITORS:   
The American people, through USAID, have invested over $500 million in Macedonia since 1993. USAID is implementing projects that create jobs, reduce corruption, and prepare Macedonian students for the workforce. These initiatives improve the quality of life and support Macedonia’s transition to a stable and prosperous democracy. USAID provides economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries. For more information please visit http://macedonia.usaid.gov or our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/USAIDMacedonia.