TRIPOLI, 24 June 2013 – Today, Monday 24 June 2013, The Minister of Education Mr Ali Abed and UNICEF Libya Country Director Mr Carel de Rooy, signed an agreement to carry out projects aimed at the improving the basic education system in Libya.

The Minister of Education stated "we welcome the support from UNICEF and realize that we need to provide our children with high standards of education." And added, "One of the major steps that we have started towards this, is looking at the current human resources and ensuring that we have the right people in the right places. We have also started to implement training programmes to build the capacity of teachers to achieve teachers of excellence."

The signing of the agreement will kick-start action such as the development of the Education Management Information System (EMIS), validation of Early Learning Development Standards, promotion of early childhood care, support to the curriculum framework development, to teachers' development, risk education and the establishment of a referral and inclusive education mechanisms in schools. The joint Ministry of Education/UNICEF programme aims at enhanced access and improved quality of basic education for all children and adolescents in Libya.

"Quality education for all is fundamental for a peaceful, democratic and productive society, and UNICEF commends the Ministry of Education for tangible achieved results." Carel de Rooy said, and added "we are very pleased to respond to the needs and requests of the Libyan Government and sign this workplan so that this joint plan can be operationalized in the best interest of children and adolescents in Libya."

During the uprising in 2011 and thereafter, UNICEF continued to be an important partner for the Ministry of Education, supporting the first nationwide schools assessment after the revolution, promoting mine risk education, and training teachers in psychosocial support, positive discipline and classroom management as well as drafting the first standards for early childhood development.

Today's signed workplan is a continuation of the initial humanitarian response in 2011, and the 2012 workplan signed for sustainable development cooperation between the Ministry of Education and UNICEF Besides UNICEF's funds, the European Union, the Russian and the Polish Governments financially contribute to these efforts.

The Ministry of Education made important and long-lasting steps towards achieving an effective education system, but the road ahead is still long and filled with challenges. With the will and commitment such goals will be achieved, and UNICEF, with key development partners, will provide the needed support to the Ministry to enable it to realize its goals.