World Bank approves $150 million for education sector in Pakistan

The World Bank has approved $150 million for the education sector to improve the primary school system and reduce drop-outs in Pakistan's largest province, Punjab.

The development came at a time when the country was witnessing a surge in out-of-school children, exceeding 26 million in South Asian nations.

However, the number was less than 44 percent in 2021-22 and 39 percent in 2016-2018.

According to the statement issued by the World Bank on Saturday, the project titled “Getting Results: Access and Delivery of the Quality Education Services in Punjab (GRADES),” aims to improve learning and recover learning losses during COVID-19.

The programme will directly benefit 5 million children, at least 7,000 head masters, 165,000 teachers and more than 3,000 mentors in public schools, as well as Public Education Foundation schools.

“Over 7 million children in Punjab are out-of-school children. The GRADES will help the government to reduce the number and improve foundational learning outcomes for the children,” stated World Bank director Najy Benhassine.

“This will be done through the scaling up and strengthening public-private partnership, improving school preparedness among young children, enhancing the quality and use of the teaching and learning materials and assessments, improving the learning environment in the school.”