More than 1.7 million Cambodian children are set to benefit from improved primary schooling following the World Bank’s approval of the Basic Education Improvement Project. The project will be co-financed by a $100 million (£84 million) credit from the World Bank’s International Development Association and a $5 million (£4.2 million) grant from the Early Learning Partnership Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
The funding aims to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy skills, expand access to early childhood education, improve teaching quality, and upgrade school infrastructure. It will also strengthen education management systems across the country.
Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, said: “This project reflects the Royal Government of Cambodia’s strong commitment to investing in human capital and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn. By focusing on foundational learning, we are laying the groundwork for a more resilient and prosperous future.”
Despite progress in expanding access to education, assessments show that many children are not acquiring the basic skills needed for future success. This project seeks to address these challenges with cost-effective, evidence-based actions.
Tania Meyer, World Bank Country Manager, said: “Cambodia’s long-term growth depends on the strength of its human capital. This project will help children acquire the foundational skills they need to succeed in school and in their future careers. The World Bank is proud to support a stronger, more resilient education system that prepares Cambodian children for the jobs of tomorrow.”
The project will fund the development of 60 public childcare centres and 60 new preschool classes, benefiting approximately 2,200 children aged 0-2 and 50,000 children aged 3-5, respectively. To improve early-grade reading and maths, the programme will offer mentoring and coaching to more than 37,000 teachers and targeted instruction for students who have fallen behind. It will also finance the construction of over 900 new classrooms and equip schools with gender-separated toilets and hand-washing facilities to reduce overcrowding and enhance learning environments.
