USAID Teacher Excellence Initiative FY23 Q3 Quarterly Report

The initiative reflects the goals of education reforms and international best practices. The program is implemented by the Education Development Center (EDC) in partnership with five partner universities: Arizona State University (ASU), Florida State University (FSU), the American University of Beirut (AUB), Nahdet Misr, and Finance and Banking Consultants International (FinBi). The initiative's pre-service working group analyzed course syllabi from 14 Faculties of Education (FOEs) in public Egyptian universities, covering five subject areas: Arabic, English, Math, Science, and Science. The working group completed the final draft of a summary report, which presents the findings of the syllabi review. A total of 50 syllabi (43 courses) were reviewed, covering topics such as Educational Psychology/Mental Health, Educational Technology, School/Classroom Management, and Teaching Methods. The in-service working group supported the Supreme Council of Universities (SCU) Education Sector Sub-Committee in the development of the framework and bylaws for the New General Diploma to be aligned with the new education system. The new bylaws were completed and submitted to the SCU for approval. In June 2023, the first study tour took place to the campuses of ASU, where five governmental officials participated, including two from the Ministry of Education and Technical Education (MOETE) and three from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR). The visit aimed to learn about policies, strategies, and materials used in teacher education at ASU, as Egypt moves towards implementing its ambitious education reforms. The USAID Teacher Excellence Initiative also prepared for a study tour to FSU's Tallahassee campus, scheduled for October to November 2023. The project will accommodate approximately 15 participants for a 10-day visit to the FSU campus. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Education and Technical Education (MOETE), the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR), and the Education Development Center (EDC) was postponed until July 2023. However, the project continued with significant planning and analysis, including a cross-ministerial study tour to ASU. The USAID Teacher Excellence Initiative held a five-day partner workshop in Maadi from May 4 to 16, 2023, attended by representatives from the five current partners. The meeting focused on updates on the work progress and drafting the work plan for year three. The workshop also tackled cross-cutting themes, including Gender, Private Sector Engagement, and Governance, and how these themes will be integrated into activities planned under the USAID Teacher Excellence Initiative. The project's Communication Officer prepared visibility materials for the event, including the agenda, folders, and fact sheets. The project's Landscape Review Report was finalized and submitted to USAID for feedback and approval. The report presents analysis and recommendations for the selection of partner universities and is expected to be approved by USAID in the next quarter. New team members joined the USAID Teacher Excellence Initiative, including the Capacity Development Officer, the Training Officer, the Director of Operations and Finance, and three drivers operating the project's vehicles. The team welcomed the new Chief of Party, Dr. Andrea Bosch, who posted to Cairo in June 2023.