§ 15. Mr. PlaskittTo ask the Secretary of State, Department for International Development what support his Department is giving to projects designed to strengthen school involvement in raising awareness of development issues. [172249]
Mr. Gareth ThomasDFID is committed to ensuring that every child is educated about development issues, so that they can understand the key global considerations that shape their lives. DFID works closely with the four education ministries across the UK to ensure that the content of what is taught in schools is enriched by the inclusion of global perspectives.
DFID's Enabling Effective Support initiative supports the development of locally owned strategies to achieve comprehensive high quality support to teachers for the delivery of the global dimension in the curriculum and wider school life. Each year some 70 per cent. of DFID's Development Awareness Fund supports projects under this initiative. In 2003–04 the Fund allocated over £3.8 million to 43 projects including the production and promotion of resources for schools; Teacher Education projects; and the Global School Partnerships programme that supports links with schools in developing countries. In 2004–05 the Fund will support 33 projects at a projected cost of £4 million.