World Bank Approves $79.5M to Enhance Education Access and Quality in Cambodia

This funding injection will fuel the expansion of the Cambodia General Education Improvement Project, which received initial financing of $69.25 million in January 2022.

The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has greenlit an additional $79.5 million to bolster initiatives aimed at improving access to quality education throughout Cambodia.

This funding injection will fuel the expansion of the Cambodia General Education Improvement Project, which received initial financing of $69.25 million in January 2022. The supplemental financing comprises a $60 million credit from the International Development Association and a $19.5 million grant from the Global Partnership for Education.

Maryam Salim, World Bank Country Manager for Cambodia, emphasized the persistent challenges of low student learning outcomes and unequal access to quality education despite Cambodia's strides in expanding educational access. She underscored that this additional financing reinforces efforts to combat learning poverty and foster the human capital crucial for Cambodia's development.

The additional funds will extend project initiatives to an additional 500 secondary schools, 1,000 primary schools, and 90 preschools nationwide. Key activities include:

Expansion of school-based management: This approach will be scaled up in the additional schools.

Enhanced training opportunities: More training and professional development opportunities will be provided for teachers, school leaders, and staff.

Infrastructure development: Additional funds will be allocated for constructing and renovating classrooms, laboratories, and school buildings with climate-resilient design.

Education technology pilot: Initiatives will be launched to leverage education technology for increased quality learning hours.

Curriculum enhancement: Textbooks will be modernized, and teacher guides will be developed in alignment with the national curriculum.

Sector planning and evaluation: Efforts will be made to strengthen sector planning, monitoring, and evaluation.

The project prioritizes facilitating access to quality education for children from disadvantaged groups, impoverished families, ethnic minority communities, and those with disabilities, particularly those in remote areas.

Laura Frigenti, CEO of the Global Partnership for Education, reiterated the organization's unwavering commitment to Cambodia, emphasizing the goal of expanding access to quality education, especially for children facing significant challenges. She noted that this additional financing presents an opportunity to fortify the education system and accelerate Cambodia's learning recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.