The Republic of Yemen, one of the world's least developed countries, has a high rate of population growth and increasing poverty. Its school enrolment rate, at 62 percent, is one of the lowest in the world. Access to basic education, especially for girls (of whom only 46 percent are enrolled in education nationwide), and the quality of education are unsatisfactory. The executives and institutions responsible for the sector at political, administrative and technical levels are not yet in a position to successfully implement reforms on their own to improve access to education, promote education for girls and enhance the quality of the education provided within the framework of decentralisation. There is a serious risk that the education-policy goal of the government, namely achieving Education for All by 2015 and overcoming gender disparities might not be achieved. The government has declared the promotion of basic education one of the key tasks in poverty reduction.

Objective and Impacts

The overall goal of the programme is, "School enrolment and the quality of learning improve on a sustainable basis". This includes reducing the drop-out rate among girls, increasing school enrolment rates, reducing the discrepancy in the enrolment rates of boys and girls, and improving learning results.

The project is to encourage administrative operations at decentralised level and improve technical competencies. This will result in a qualitatively and quantitatively enhanced range of education for the target group. Access to and interest in basic education for pupils and their parents is to be enhanced and strengthened, and pupils are to stay in education for a longer period. Individuals will see their personal development opportunities improved, and will be able to play a more active part in the life of society.
The quality of basic education will be improved sustainably for all children, and will have a positive impact on poverty reduction.
The strengthening of decentralised administration and participation on the part of civil society will help strengthen democratic structures and contribute to good governance.

Procedure

The programme supports measures to render teaching staff and education authority staff more professional, as well as promoting infrastructural improvements and education for girls. It also deals with topics such as decentralisation and community involvement.
To achieve the goals and realise the basic education strategy, the Ministry of Education is being provided with ongoing advisory services on education. Moreover, further training measures in the field of pupil-centred teaching are being supported and contributions made to improving the basic equipment of schools.