PHNOM PENH – The World Bank has agreed to provide nearly $80 million to improve access to quality education in Cambodia.

Nearly 1600 schools will get benefits, including more classrooms and professional development opportunities for staff. 

The $79.5 million, approved by the World Bank on May 30, is the second fund to scale up the Cambodia General Education Improvement Project. It was first approved in January 2022 with initial financing of $69.25 million.

Bank country director Maryam Salim said Cambodia has made great strides in expanding access to education over the last two decades. She said, however, that low student learning outcomes and inequitable access to quality education remain key challenges.

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

The new fund will focus on activities in 500 secondary schools, 1,000 primary schools and 90 preschools including scaling up school-based management in the additional schools and providing more training and professional development opportunities for teachers, school leaders and staff. 

More classrooms, laboratories and school buildings will be constructed or renovated with climate-resilient designs while piloting education technology to increase quality learning hours. 

The fund will also be used to modernize textbooks and develop teacher guides aligned with the national curriculum as well as strengthen sector planning, monitoring and evaluation, the World Bank said.

$60 million will be credited from the bank’s International Development Association and $19.5 million is a grant from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).

The bank said that children from disadvantaged groups, poor families, or ethnic minority communities, including those in remote areas or living with disabilities, will find it easier to get to school and receive quality education chances.

GPE chief executive officer Laura Frigenti said the additional finance provides an opportunity to strengthen the education system and accelerate Cambodia's learning recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“GPE remains steadfast in our commitment to Cambodia, striving to expand access to quality education for more children, particularly those facing the greatest challenges,” she said.

Last week, the World Bank also approved a $40 million loan to enhance the skills and labor quality needed to boost Cambodia’s economy.