What is the MBE Program?
The Managing Basic Education (MBE) Program is a new program supported by USAID (United States Agency for International Development). The program is intended to empower and increase the capacities of local government and schools at the district level thus enabling better management of Basic Education. USAID has been giving assistance for several years in the area of local government through projects such as PERFORM, BIGG and CLEAN.

What will the program do?
The program will support the development of education at the district level, especially in the areas of management of finance, personnel (especially teachers) and facilities. The program will also directly assist 20 primary and junior secondary schools in each district to implement School Based Management (SBM), develop Community Participation and implement improved Teaching and Learning using Active, Joyful and Effective Learning.

Why Basic Education?
Basic Education was chosen as the focus of this program as it is the largest sector managed by local government. Additionally education is the key to social and economic development both now and for the future. The target districts for the program have been chosen from those districts working within the PERFORM project which have already shown a willingness to innovate, a desire to progress and an openness to change in managing Basic Education. The districts were all visited by the MBE consultants as part of the selection process.

What activities will take place?
Planned activities include:

• Comparative study visits to other areas, where innovation is taking place
• Creation of school data logging/mapping systems, data collection and planning
• Training workshops at district, school and community levels
• On-the-job training and assistance provided by our consultants at the district and school levels