Bridges Between Us

• Implementing standardized testing in math, science, civics, and history for all students at selected grades (e.g., 6, 10, and 12) for all students for progression to next level.

• Allocating a very relevant percent, such as 6%-9%, of the budget to education – education expenditures at national and local levels must ensure: maintenance of adequate and sufficient infrastructure including schools, classroom, seating, and books for all students across the country; adequate salaries for all teachers, including housing and transportation support where needed; availability of computers, laptops, and tablets in every school that are available to and used by all students (unless they have their own computers).

• Provision of free school breakfasts and lunches for students from low income families  through area-wise or school-wise means-tested programs.

• Daily online reporting of all teachers from duty stations. Maintaining regularly updated local and/or national level data-base of all students and tracking of educational progress.

• Mandatory refresher training and testing of all teachers every few years. 

• Expanded means-tested higher educational grants and loans availability for economically poor students.

• Coordination between government, NGOs, and private sector to increase complementation and address gaps in availability of education and supporting services.     

• Development and broadcasting of short (e.g., 1-3 minute) and enjoyable programs (on TV, radio, and social media) – that are specifically focused on young students – on math, languages, science, and civics and society.

• Strictly enforcing secularism in and removal of all religious practices from all educational institutions at all levels.

References that likely support these ideas: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x8hUNVB0rpBu9Mberah8lGzUJ1vK-C9Z/view?usp=sharing