The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved $150 million for a project aimed at increasing participation rates in pre-primary and primary grades and enhancing reading proficiency in Punjab Province, Pakistan. The initiative, titled "Getting Results: Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services in Punjab Project" (GRADES), will focus on improving learning outcomes, recovering from COVID-19 related learning losses, strengthening school management, and expanding school participation levels.
The project is expected to benefit approximately 5 million children, 7,000 headteachers, 165,000 teachers, and over 3,000 teacher mentors in public schools as well as those under the Punjab Education Foundation. Najy Benhassine, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan stated, “Punjab has more than 7 million out-of-school children. GRADES will help the government of Punjab substantially reduce this number and improve foundational learning outcomes for boys and girls who are already in school.”
To address Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate shocks, the project will incorporate climate-resilient measures such as constructing approximately 5,400 additional climate-smart classrooms with features like raised plinths and reflective roofs. It will prioritize reconstructing schools damaged during the 2022 floods with a focus on girls' schools and overcrowded institutions.
Izza Farrakh, Task Team Leader for the Project remarked that "GRADES will leverage this partnership for further innovation," highlighting plans to integrate climate change education into the curriculum. The reforms aim to ensure a safe learning environment while preparing students to be resilient against future climate shocks.
Pakistan has been a member of the World Bank since 1950. Over this period, it has received more than $46 billion in assistance. The current portfolio includes 55 projects with a total commitment of $14.7 billion.