The Basic Education Coalition (BEC) applauds Congressional leaders for passing the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, especially House Appropriations Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Ranking Member Kay Granger (R-TX); Senate Appropriations Chair Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Vice Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL); and Chair and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Hal Rogers (R-KY) for their work to provide robust support for international basic education in fiscal year 2023.
“We are thrilled to see the $20 million increase for international basic education in the FY23 Omnibus, $277 million above the President’s proposed funding level,” said BEC Co-Chair Nancy Devine, Senior Vice President, Education Development Center. “We want to extend our deep gratitude to Congress for its support for these critical programs and hope to see continued support in upcoming appropriations processes in the 118th Congress.”
“After years of uncertainty and disruptions to education caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, on top of ongoing conflict and crises around the world, it is critical that Congress continues to support and prioritize international basic education,” said BEC Co-Chair Candace Debnam, Executive Director, School to School International. “The basic education community commends Congress for its commitment to children around the world in the FY23 Omnibus.”
The FY2023 Omnibus provides $970 million for international basic education, $277 million above the Biden Administration’s request. It includes $130 million for the Global Partnership for Education and $30 million for Education Cannot Wait. It also recommends that $150 million be allocated for girls’ education in areas of conflict.
The text of the FY23 Omnibus is available here and the State and Foreign Operations Explanatory Statement is available here.
The Basic Education Coalition (BEC) is a group of leading US-based organizations and academic institutions working together to promote global peace and prosperity through education. By leveraging our collective technical expertise and combining advocacy efforts, BEC members raise a unified voice to ensure US policymakers support and strengthen education for the developing world.