DHAKA; The World Bank has approved US$300 million (Tk 3,736 crore) to strengthen pre-primary and primary education in Bangladesh, benefiting 26 million children through improved classrooms, learning materials and school uniforms.
The financing was approved on Friday by the Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank Group for the Learning Enhancement and Acceleration in Primary Education Programme, which will support the government's Fifth Primary Education Development Programme, according to a World Bank press release.
Despite achieving near-universal access to primary schooling, Bangladesh continues to face significant challenges in education quality. About 50 per cent of 10-year-olds cannot read and understand a simple, age-appropriate text, compared with 42 per cent in Malaysia and 47 per cent in Brazil, both upper-middle-income countries.
"Quality primary education is one of the building blocks for a globally competitive workforce," said Jean Pesme, division director for Bangladesh and Bhutan at the World Bank.
"For the last two decades, the World Bank Group has helped Bangladesh bring nearly all children to school. This financing will help children learn better and stay in school, creating the foundation for securing better jobs later in their lives," he added.
Bangladesh has one of the world's largest primary education systems, with more than 20 million children enrolled in government schools, non-governmental organisation (NGO) schools, kindergartens and madrasas.
The programme will introduce a foundational literacy and numeracy package, including teaching materials, structured lesson plans and teacher training.
It will also provide leadership training for headteachers in 90 per cent of government primary schools and strengthen school management systems.
In addition, the programme will support remedial learning for children falling behind, particularly in districts with the weakest educational outcomes.
"Strong foundational learning is a critical step towards the accumulation of skills for better jobs. To ensure that no children are left behind, the programme will support remedial learning for children who are falling behind, with a focus on districts that lag the furthest," said Tashmina Rahman, senior education specialist and team leader for the programme at the World Bank.
The initiative will also promote better teacher and school leadership, more accountable budget use and greater reliance on data in decision-making.
It is expected to improve pre-primary education and school readiness, while generating 843,000 more and better-paid jobs in government primary schools.
The financing will come from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank Group's arm for lower-income countries. It has a 25-year term, including a five-year grace period.
The approval comes two days after the government earmarked Tk 41,090 crore for digital and needs-based classrooms and school uniforms. - Daily Star/ANN
