ISLAMABAD, May 26: The US Agency for International Development (USAID) will provide $147.6 million to Pakistan for improving the quality of education, health services, electoral and legislative processes and creating employment and economic opportunities.

In this connection, a memorandum of understanding was signed by US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, Christina B. Rocca and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar here on Thursday.

USAID mission director Patricia L. Rader, secretary economic affairs division Shuja Shah and US Ambassador Ryan C. Cocker were present at the signing ceremony. Ms Rocca said the USAID was proud to expand its cooperation with Pakistan in education, health and other sectors.

She said the agency’s largest commitment would be in education. According to a press release, USAID plans to spend nearly $67 million this year to improve basic, higher, and vocational education.

“Working with Pakistani officials, USAID supports teachers and administrators to utilize improved teaching techniques in mathematics, science and English as a second language; early childhood education programmes in more than 200 schools, preparing district education officials to better manage public education resources; and literacy centres to teach out-of-school youth and adults to read.”

Hundreds of schools in Balochistan, Sindh, and FATA have either been rebuilt, or work on projects is in progress. Two scholarship programmes will help Pakistanis pursue university and post-graduate education.