ISLAMABAD, July 7: The US government will provide $14.9 million (Rs894 million) to primary-level public schools throughout the country. This was stated by US ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C. Crocker while speaking at the ceremony held to distribute school improvement grants among Parent-Teachers Associations (PTAs) of F.G. schools in Bhara Kahu at the National Library auditorium.

Mr Crocker said the grant would be provided to 7,000 government schools in Sindh, Balochistan and the capital territory for school improvement.

It was the launching ceremony of the USAID-funded School Improvement Initiative under the Education Sector Reform Assistance Programme (ESRA).

Cheques were distributed among 30 primary school PTAs of Bhara Kahu for school improvement. Each school received a cheque of $450.

The total grant may increase to $1,500 per school based on their performance.

The PTAs which fail to achieve the expected results of performance will not qualify for the second instalment.

Mr Crocker commended the PTAs and the community members for their personal commitment to a better teaching and learning environment and pledged the US government’s unwavering commitment to the cause of education in Pakistan.