World Bank Approves $300m Loan to Improve Primary Education
The World Bank has approved a $300 million loan to improve the quality of pre-primary and primary education for around 26 million children in Bangladesh.
The funding will help improve children’s basic reading, writing and mathematics skills, train teachers and strengthen school management. It will also support the government’s Fifth Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP-5).
The World Bank’s Dhaka office disclosed the information in a press release on Saturday (November 7). Its Board of Executive Directors approved the funding on Friday under the Learning Enhancement and Acceleration in Primary Education programme.
According to the World Bank, although Bangladesh has achieved near-universal access to primary education, learning quality remains a major challenge. Around 50 per cent of 10-year-old children cannot read and understand a simple text appropriate for their age. The rate is 42 per cent in Malaysia and 47 per cent in Brazil.
Jean Pesme, World Bank Division Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, said quality primary education was essential to building a workforce capable of competing globally.
He said the World Bank had supported Bangladesh in ensuring school access for almost all children over the past two decades. The new funding would improve learning outcomes, help children continue their education and create better employment opportunities in the future.
The programme will provide classroom materials, structured lesson plans and improved teacher training to strengthen basic reading, writing and mathematics skills.
Around 90 per cent of government primary school headteachers will also receive training in leadership and school management.
Students falling behind in their studies will receive additional learning support, with special attention to districts facing greater educational challenges.
The programme will also focus on improving teachers’ and school leaders’ skills, ensuring transparency in budget use and promoting data-based decision-making.
Tashmina Rahman, World Bank Senior Education Specialist and programme team leader, said strengthening basic education was essential to creating future employment opportunities.
She said the programme would provide additional support to ensure that no child was left behind. It would also improve teacher training, school management and accountability in the use of allocated funds.
According to the World Bank, the programme has the potential to create more than 843,000 new and relatively better-paid jobs in government primary schools.
The financing is being provided by the World Bank Group’s International Development Association (IDA). The 25-year loan has a five-year grace period.
