The Basic Education Coalition is grateful to Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) and Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) who, yesterday, reintroduced the bipartisan and bicameral legislation to reauthorize the Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (READ) Act for an additional five fiscal years to equitably expand access to basic education for children around the globe.
“Basic education is unequivocally one of the most important resources young people need to grow into the strong leaders, doctors, business owners, and economic contributors of their nations. This is why I am introducing the READ Act Reauthorization Act of 2022. Basic education is a global human right, and we must continue to lead the effort to ensure that all young people have adequate access to that right, especially now given the major impact COVID-19 has had on the education system.”
There has been tremendous progress in advancing quality basic education around the world since the READ Act was first signed into law five years ago. In 2018, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) released the U.S. Government Strategy (Strategy) on International Basic Education for Fiscal Years 2019-2023, which has since demonstrated the U.S. Government’s commitment to international education and leadership on pressing international education challenges. The READ Act Reauthorization would continue the goal of providing access to education for some of the hundreds of millions of young people who are currently not in school, or who do not have access to education because of conflict or political instability.
The READ Act amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, and states that it shall be the policy of the United States to work with partner countries, other donors, multilateral institutions, the private sector, and nongovernmental and civil society organizations, including faith-based organizations, to promote quality basic education through programs and activities that:
respond to the needs of developing countries to achieve improvements in literacy;
strengthen education systems and expands access to safe learning;
promote education as a foundation for sustained economic growth; and
monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and quality of basic education programs in partner countries.
In addition to its bipartisan, bicameral support, the READ Act Reauthorization has broad support from diverse civil society stakeholders, coalitions, and partners.
Read Rep. Karen Bass’ full press release here.
The Basic Education Coalition is a group of leading U.S.-based organizations and academic institutions working together to promote global peace and prosperity through education.