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The American Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Larry André speaking during the launching of a publication documenting the 25 years of experience of the Madrasa Early Childhood Programme in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

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The American Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Larry André speaking during the launching of a publication documenting the 25 years of experience of the Madrasa Early Childhood Programme in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Book Launch: The Madrasa Early Childhood Program

Venue: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

April 2, 2009

Remarks by U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Larry André (draft)

Waheshimiwa wageni waalikwa,
Rais Karume and honoured representatives of the Zanzibari and Union governments,
Representatives of the Aga Khan Development Network
Representatives of Ummah
Rais Kikwete, Oyee!
Rais Obama, Oyee!
Mabibi na mabwana, habari za asubuhi!
Asalam Alaykum!

It is an honor for me to join all of you in this celebration of the launching of a publication telling the inspiring story of the Madrasa Early Childhood Program’s record of success over the past 25 years.

Like many Tanzanian parents, President Obama believes that investment in our children’s education is an investment in the nation’s future. The decisions our leaders make about education shape the nation’s future for generations to come. Education is a necessity for economic and political progress. Economic growth requires a well-trained work force. Democracy flourishes when the citizenry have the skills to make well-informed decisions about the policies and leaders competing for their support. Just as with the Madrasa Early Childhood program, back home President Obama is implementing the Early Childhood Education Zero to Five Plan to provide critical support to young children and their parents. Americans and Tanzanians share a determination to prepare each generation for the challenges of the future.

I am proud of our partnership with the Government of Tanzania and the Aga Khan Foundation. The United States and the Aga Khan Development Network have a long history of partnership across many countries, including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, and Mali, amongst others. Our partnership in this region focuses primarily on education. We share a commitment to assist Tanzanians in achieving access to quality education for all children, including those marginalized by disability, poverty, gender, or illness.

One of our largest programs begun in 2007: the Completion, Retention and Access for Tanzanians to Education project, known as CREATE, is active in Zanzibar and the southern coastal regions of mainland Tanzania (Mtwara and Lindi). CREATE aims to realise three major outcomes: improved quality of learning opportunities in pre-primary and primary schools for underserved children; improved secondary students’ performance in Math and Sciences; and enhanced strategies to support the government education sector. CREATE is a three-year program supported by the American people and the Aga Khan Foundation with over $5 million in funding. It is implemented in partnership with the Union and Zanzibari ministries of Education.

I also wish to recognize the key role played by the leadership of Tanzania’s Muslim community, the Grand Mufti, the Chief Kadhi of Zanzibar and BAKWATA. Their guidance ensures that school programs we support are responsive to the cultural, moral and spiritual values of Tanzania’s Muslim community. Muslims have made tremendous contributions to world civilization in the arts and sciences. Support for this program from key leaders from the Muslim Ummah preserves this proud tradition.

The Zanzibar Madrasa Resource Centre has been an important partner in the CREATE project. With USAID and Aga Khan Foundation support, the Madrasa Resource Centre has expanded its important work in Zanzibar and begun working with government pre-primary classrooms in Mtwara and Lindi Regions, bringing Zanzibari expertise to mainland Tanzania.

We are particularly pleased that this publication provides clear evidence of the importance of early childhood development. This study shows that Tanzanian children who have had access to quality early childhood development programmes are much more likely to succeed in school and remain in school than are their peers who have not had this advantage. Studies in my country show that this is as true in the United States as it is in Tanzania.

We appreciate the honour that our Tanzanian partners have bestowed on us by asking that we work with them to support education. This is a great responsibility, since we all know that Tanzania’s children will grow up to lead the nation.

Asenteni sana!