The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has approved $79.5 million in additional financing to enhance access to quality education across Cambodia. This funding aims to scale up the Cambodia General Education Improvement Project, initially financed with $69.25 million in January 2022. The new financing includes a $60 million credit from the International Development Association and a $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 Maryam Salim. “This additional financing reinforces efforts to tackle learning poverty and build the human capital needed for Cambodia’s growth and development.”
The funds will be used to extend project activities to an additional 500 secondary schools, 1,000 primary schools, and 90 preschools nationwide. Key initiatives include:
- Scaling up school-based management
- Providing more training and professional development opportunities for teachers, school leaders, and staff
- Constructing and renovating classrooms, laboratories, and school buildings with climate-resilient designs
- Piloting educational technology to increase quality learning hours
- Modernizing textbooks and developing teacher guides aligned with the national curriculum
- Strengthening sector planning, monitoring, and evaluation
The project focuses on improving accessibility for children from disadvantaged groups, poor families, or ethnic minority communities in remote areas or those living with disabilities.
“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 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.”