World Bank Sanctions $47.9M for improving education in Punjab

The World Bank on Monday approved a $47.9 million grant to improve primary education in Punjab, saying the project will expand early childhood schooling, re-enrol out-of-school children and strengthen teacher support.

The announcement came after the Higher Education Commission and World Bank teams completed their final review of the Higher Education Development in Pakistan project. The new initiative will focus on improving access to pre-primary and primary education, especially for vulnerable groups. It will support over four million children, including 80000 out-of-school children, more than three million in School Education Department institutions, 850,000 in the non-formal sector, and 140000 differently-abled students enrolled in Special Education Department schools.

In addition to students, more than 100,000 teachers, school leaders, parents, and community members will benefit through training and awareness programs. The project also aims to strengthen governance and management in the education sector, aligning with the Punjab government’s broader education reform plan to make the system more effective, inclusive, and accountable. The World Bank noted that the project will improve education sector responsiveness to climate change and emergencies. It stressed the importance of tackling learning poverty and ensuring fair access to quality education. Officials highlighted that this program targets the most vulnerable populations, in line with the World Bank’s goals of reducing extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity.

The World Bank has supported Pakistan since 1950, providing over 48.3 billion dollars in assistance. Its investment arm, the International Finance Corporation, has contributed around 13 billion dollars to projects in energy, finance, infrastructure, and agriculture. Currently, the World Bank’s portfolio in Pakistan includes 54 projects with a total commitment of 15.7 billion dollars.