Lowey to Re-Introduce the Education for All Act

Lowey to Re-Introduce the Education For All Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) today announced the re-introduction of legislation that would focus U.S. attention on the need to provide all children around the world with a quality basic education. The Education for All Act, which Lowey discussed at an event to celebrate international “Send My Friend to School Week,” would focus on policy, leadership and resources, three areas in which U.S. action has long been lacking.
“This isn't just about education - although that is important; this initiative focuses our attention on a glaring global problem. Today, too many children are either not educated or are being educated to hate,” said Congresswoman Lowey. “This is a part of our broader war on terror - by helping these children get a quality education we are promoting stability and prosperity in the future.”
In its report, the 9/11 Commission made education in the Muslim world a key part of our long term strategy to combat terrorism. The 9/11 report emphasized that the education system in the Middle East contributed significantly to the rise of militant Islam.
The bill’s re-introduction was announced as part of the 2006 Global Campaign for Education Week, which advocates for over 100 million poor children around the world who have been denied an education.
Under this legislation, the United States would provide up to $2.5 billion by 2009, tied to strong standards of accountability and performance, to aid developing countries in establishing universal education systems. The legislation calls on the United States to coordinate the efforts of various federal agencies and work with other donor nations and NGO's to provide incentives and assistance to these countries. The goal is to establish universal basic education by 2015.
“We must reach out to those with limited opportunities and show them that our nation stands for compassion as well as strength,” said Lowey. “This legislation would provide a framework to comprehensively provide basic education for all children.”