World Bank Approves Additional US$79.5 Million to Boost Education Quality and Access in Cambodia

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on May 30 approved US$79.5 million in additional financing to expand activities that are improving access to quality education across Cambodia.

According to the World Bank’s press release, the funding will be used to scale up the Cambodia General Education Improvement Project, which was approved in January 2022 with initial financing of US$69.25 million. The additional financing includes a US$60 million credit from the International Development Association, the World Bank’s fund for those most in need and a US$19.5 million grant from the Global Partnership for Education.

“Cambodia has made great strides in expanding access to education over the last two decades, but low student learning outcomes and inequitable access to quality education remain key challenges,” said World Bank Country Manager for Cambodia Ms Maryam Salim.

“This additional financing reinforces efforts to tackle learning poverty and build the human capital needed for Cambodia’s growth and development.”

The additional financing will expand project activities to another 500 secondary schools, 1,000 primary schools, and 90 preschools across the country. Key activities include Scaling up school-based management in the additional schools; Providing more training and professional development opportunities for teachers, school leaders and staff; Constructing and renovating more classrooms, laboratories and school buildings with climate-resilient design; Piloting education technology to increase quality learning hours; Modernising textbooks and developing teacher guides aligned with the national curriculum; and Strengthening sector planning, monitoring and evaluation.

The project places strong emphasis on making it easier for children from disadvantaged groups, poor families, or ethnic minority communities, including those in remote areas or living with disabilities, to get to school and receive quality learning opportunities.

“GPE remains steadfast in our commitment to Cambodia, striving to expand access to quality education for more children, particularly those facing the greatest challenges,” said Ms Laura Frigenti, GPE Chief Executive Officer.

“This additional financing provides an opportunity to strengthen the education system and accelerate Cambodia’s learning recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”