Lahore – The USAID Teacher Education Project (Pre-STEP) organized a cheque distribution ceremony at the University of Education Township here the other day.
Dr. Amjad Saqib, representative of the USAID Teacher Education Project, presented the Vice Chancellor University of Education, Dr Faiz-ul-Hasan with a cheque amounting to Rs 297,000 as first installment. A total of Rs 1.5 million (approx) will be disbursed in the next 11 months and this amount will be used to conduct research into the Pedagogical Practices of Teacher Educators in Bachelors of Education (B. Ed) Honors Elementary and Associate Degree in Education (ADE) Programs.
The grant was awarded after a rigorous review process, conducted by the Research Evaluation and Advisory Committee (REAC), led by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). REAC comprises representatives of the Higher Education Commission and experienced education researchers working in Pakistan and overseas.
At least 20 grants are being awarded by the USAID Teacher Education Project (Pre-STEP) to research teacher education in Pakistan, and the implementation of the ADE and B.Ed. (Hons.) Elementary degrees. The initiative affords opportunities for short-term/small-scale, or long-term intensive, action or applied-research. The USAID Teacher Education Project offers professional development tailored to the unique demands of the research teams along with opportunities to exchange solutions and network ideas and to disseminate findings. 
The Pre Service Teacher Education Project (Pre-STEP) is a five-year program which is facilitating the Government of Pakistan to improve the quality of basic education through better-prepared teachers.
Working in close collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Provincial Departments of Education, and teacher training institutes across the country, it has introduced a four-year Bachelor’s Degree in Education (B.Ed.) and a two-year Associate Degree in Education (ADE).