USAID’s $25 million Education for Children and Youth project provides access to quality education for over 370,000 lower secondary (7^th to 9^th grade) students in 750 schools located in high crime communities. The project contributes to USAID’s Global Education Strategy to increase equitable access to education in crisis and conflict environments for 15 million learners.

The project supports the Salvadoran Ministry of Education to expand its Full-Time Inclusive School model, which offers students extracurricula activities and tutoring that extends the school day.  A longer school day, with educational and recreational activities, provides vulnerable youth an alternative to gang activity in a safe environment. Teacher training in interactive teaching methodologies that keep students engaged helps reduce  high school drop-out rates.  USAID works with local organizations to  develop and support educational opportunities for students at-risk, including violence prevention, and building safe learning environments to promote school retention.

Another component of the project supports approximately 23,000 out-of-school youth to return to formal classes or earn an equivalent diploma in special weekend classes.  The project also provides technical and vocational training. 

The Education for Children and Youth project  is implemented by five Salvadoran education organizations:

• The Salvadoran Foundation of Integrated Education (FEDISAL) is a local organization founded in 1992 by a group of leading businessmen and members of the Catholic Salesian Community to promote equal access to education. The primary areas of focus include education, vocational training, labor market analysis, scholarships, and research.      
• The Salvador del Mundo Foundation (FUSALMO) is a local organization founded in 2001 with a strong focus on serving at-risk youth.  Its training facility, located in Soyapango, offers training, sports and recreation activities for at-risk youth and their families.
• Salesian Institution Association (AIS) is a non-profit organization that provides at-risk youth, who are not in school, with flexible educational programs in public and private Catholic schools in high risk municipalities.
• Pro-Education Foundation of El Salvador is a private, non-profit institution founded in 1989 by private sector and community groups dedicated to improving the quality of education and introducing new tools to promote diversity and inclusion in schools.
• Don Bosco University is a Catholic higher education institution. The university provides certification and training for teachers to improve the quality of education in public schools.