The World Bank has approved the Basic Education Improvement Project, which aims to enhance education quality in Cambodia and benefit more than 1.7 million children. The initiative is supported by a $100 million credit from the International Development Association and a $5 million grant from the Early Learning Partnership Multi-Donor Trust Fund. Its primary goal is to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy in primary schools while expanding access to early childhood education, improving teaching quality, upgrading school infrastructure, and reinforcing education management systems.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, Hang Chuon Naron, emphasized that the project demonstrates Cambodia’s strong commitment to investing in human capital and creating opportunities for every child to learn. By focusing on foundational education, the project seeks to lay the groundwork for long-term prosperity and resilience.
Although Cambodia has expanded access to education in recent years, many children still lack the basic literacy and numeracy skills required for future educational progress and higher-skilled employment. The new project addresses these challenges through cost-effective, evidence-based interventions designed to improve learning outcomes.
World Bank Country Manager Tania Meyer highlighted that Cambodia’s long-term growth depends on building strong human capital. She noted that the project will help children gain essential skills to succeed academically and professionally while strengthening the overall resilience of the education system to prepare the next generation for future jobs.
Key components of the project include the establishment of 60 public childcare centers and 60 new preschool classes, supporting working mothers with access to safe and affordable childcare while promoting school readiness. Beyond the 1.7 million children in primary schools, an additional 2,200 children under age two and 50,000 children between ages three and five will benefit from expanded childcare and preschool services.
To improve teaching quality, the project will provide mentoring and coaching for over 37,000 teachers and introduce targeted support for students who are falling behind in early reading and mathematics. Additionally, it will finance the construction of more than 900 new classrooms and ensure schools are equipped with gender-separated toilets and hand-washing facilities to reduce overcrowding and foster healthier, more conducive learning environments.
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