WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the United States announced that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) plans to invest $100 million to build 25 additional new schools in Jordan as part of the Let Girls Learn Initiative. Currently, many students in Jordan learn in overcrowded classrooms and schools, and efforts to accommodate Syrian refugees has made the situation more acute.  Many of the new schools will be constructed in urban areas with overcrowded schools, helping to alleviate pressure on Jordan's education system.  The new schools will accommodate over 25,000 children each year.

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Thomas Christofoletti

"Every child deserves to look ahead to the future and see a world of opportunity and unlimited possibility," said USAID Acting Administrator Alfonso E. Lenhardt. "But far too many children around the world - especially girls - do not have access to the educational opportunities they deserve. That is why USAID is thrilled to continue to partner with the Government of Jordan to build new schools and empower thousands of young people through education."

Girls' schools make up 70 percent of the new schools to be built under the commitment announced today and will provide students with the opportunity to learn in new, modern buildings equipped with technology that facilitates learning.

Today's announcement is part of major planned USAID programming in Jordan's education sector over the next five years and builds on a strong partnership between the governments of the United States and Jordan to improve the quality of education and to provide schooling experiences that help to ensure Jordanian youth - young men and women alike - can pursue their broader aspirations.

From 2002 to 2014, USAID invested $458 million in Jordan's education sector. Since 2006, USAID's Jordan School Construction and Rehabilitation Project has put $199 million towards the construction of 28 new schools and the renovation or expansion of an additional 97 schools.  These efforts have improved the learning environment for more than 100,000 students attending the 125 new or rehabilitated schools.