Scaling up the Safe Schools Program Through Peace Corps

E3/GENDEV will provide an additional $500,000 to the Peace Corps to carry out the "Promoting Gender across Peace Corps Sectors-Safe Schools III Activity." Funds will support: (1) missions to conduct gender-related trainings and technical assistance with volunteers and work partners, including the implementation of training packages developed under the Safe Schools program.

Funds associated with this Statement of Work (SOW) will be used to deliver TOTs ("Training Other Teachers") through a regional roll-out conference of about 5 countries, and in-service trainings on the "Creating an Enabling Environment" training package and an additional training packages being developed.

Teachers demonstrate skills to better manage their classrooms (for example, positive discipline techniques, equitable treatment of male and female students, adherence to professional standards and teacher codes of conduct), and to create a higher quality learning environment.

This activity scales up a successful evidence-based E3 funded project "The Safe Schools Program" thereby demonstrating technical leadership in this area.

The activity will provide technical training to Peace Corps Volunteers and host country teachers to create a positive learning environment for students.

This cooperation between the Peace Corps and USAID supports an 'Education Strategy' by creating higher quality learning environments for students.

The "Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2006" Report, also confirms that a safe and secure school environment is a positive learning environment.