US embassy cable - 05DJIBOUTI244

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000244 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS USAID 
NAIROBI FOR REDSO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, EAID, SOCI, SCUL, DJ 
SUBJECT: NATIONAL EDUCATION FORUM IN DJIBOUTI 
 
 
 1. (U) Djibouti's Ministry of Education hosted February 5-6 
at the People's Palace a formal review of its education 
reform program, which began in 1999. Funded in part by USAID, 
under the Economic Support Funds (ESF) program, the formal 
review was an outgrowth of district stakeholders meetings by 
Minister of Education Abdi Ibrahim Absieh and a team of 
advisors on the country's education reform program 
achievements.  The review also solicited feedback from 
parents, teachers, school directors, non-governmental 
organizations and others. The results of the consultations 
and feedback will form the basis for Djibouti's Strategy and 
Action Plan, which USAID will help develop, for the next 
phase of education reform in Djibouti. 
 
2. (U) During the formal review program, the main themes of 
educational reform were presented: (1) increasing access to 
equity in basic education services; (2) improving the quality 
of teaching and learning; (3) strengthening the capacity of 
educational institutions; and (4) diversifying and justifying 
financial resources in support of education.  Along with each 
theme, a list of achievements for the academic years 
1999-2005 was presented, as well as a list of ongoing 
weaknesses or deficiencies.  A major achievement, in the 
Ministry's view, was an increase in the national primary 
school enrollment rate from 39 percent in 1999 to 53 percent 
in the 2004-05 academic period. Other achievements, as well 
as shortcomings,will be explored in separate communication 
with REDSO and USAID headquarters. 
 
3. (U) Nearly 200 stakeholders (parents and civil society 
organizaton representatives) from throughout the districts 
were sponsored by USAID to attend the two-day event.  They 
were joined by donor community members and Ministry of 
Education officials and staff.  The closing session of the 
event was presided over by President Ismail Omar Guelleh and 
Prime Minister Dileita Mohamed Dileita and attended by 
ministers and members of the diplomatic community, including 
Ambassador and USAID Director. 
RAGSDALE