World Bank approves US$300mil to improve Bangladesh’s primary education

The World Bank has allocated US$300 million to enhance primary education in Bangladesh, according to a recent announcement. The Learning Enhancement and Acceleration in Primary Education Programme aims to improve the quality of education for over 20 million children in the country's pre-primary and primary education systems. Despite Bangladesh achieving near-universal access to primary schooling, a significant challenge remains in the quality of education.

World Bank data reveals that 50% of 10-year-olds in Bangladesh struggle to read and comprehend simple texts, a figure lower than Malaysia's 42% and Brazil's 47%. The project will introduce a foundational literacy and numeracy package, which includes teaching materials, structured lesson plans, and teacher training. Jean Pesme, the World Bank's division director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, emphasized that the funding will enable children in Bangladesh to receive a superior education in government schools, thereby improving their employment prospects in the future.