World Bank approves $150 million education project in Punjab

The World Bank has given the green light to a $150 million project in Punjab Province, Pakistan, with the goal of increasing the number of girls and boys attending pre-primary and primary school, and enhancing their reading skills. The initiative, named GRADES, will concentrate on improving educational outcomes, tackling learning setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening school management, and expanding school enrollment rates. It is anticipated to benefit approximately 5 million children, 7,000 headteachers, 165,000 teachers, and over 3,000 teacher mentors in public and Punjab Education Foundation schools.

The primary objective of the project is to decrease the staggering number of out-of-school children in Punjab, which currently exceeds 7 million, while simultaneously enhancing the foundational learning achievements of those already enrolled in schools. This will be accomplished through collaborations between the public and private sectors, enhancing school preparedness, upgrading teaching resources and evaluations, and establishing a more conducive learning atmosphere. The project will also take a climate-resilient approach by constructing climate-smart classrooms in primary schools to mitigate the effects of natural disasters. Furthermore, it will prioritize the reconstruction of schools damaged during recent floods, with a particular emphasis on girls' schools, overcrowded schools, and those situated in regions with high numbers of out-of-school children. The project's design also includes measures to enhance disability inclusion, such as enhancing school infrastructure and integrating inclusive education principles into teacher training.

The GRADES project in Punjab, Pakistan, funded by the World Bank, is a significant step towards improving education accessibility and quality for millions of children. By focusing on key areas like school management, learning outcomes, and climate resilience, this initiative aims to create a more inclusive and effective educational system. Through these efforts, the project not only addresses current challenges but also lays the foundation for a brighter future for the youth of Punjab.