The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $30 million grant to enhance access to quality education in Kiribati, focusing on improving primary and secondary schooling. The Equitable Access to Quality Education Project aims to provide students—particularly those in remote and outer island communities—with modern, disaster-resilient learning environments that promote inclusion and equal opportunity. The project will finance the construction of new classrooms, dormitories, and recreational facilities, with designs that cater to the different needs of boys and girls. It will also support the purchase of vehicles for student transport, integrate digital technology into the curriculum, and train teachers to deliver more effective, technology-enabled education.
According to Aaron Batten, Regional Director of ADB’s Pacific Subregional Office, the project addresses key challenges that prevent children—especially those living in remote areas—from completing their education. By investing in better infrastructure, transport systems, and teacher training, the initiative aims to ensure more children can stay in school and access quality learning opportunities.
The $30 million grant, funded through ADB’s Asian Development Fund (ADF), is complemented by $5 million in cofinancing from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). The project also aligns with the Government of Australia’s 10-year Kiribati–Australia Education Program in Tungaru, reinforcing regional cooperation for educational development. GPE Chief Executive Officer Laura Frigenti emphasized that equitable access begins with safe, well-equipped schools and highlighted the importance of partnerships in building resilient education systems that allow every child in Kiribati to thrive.
The ADF, which provides grants to the poorest and most vulnerable countries in Asia and the Pacific, has played a crucial role in advancing poverty reduction and job creation across the region. Between 2021 and 2024, it helped lift 384,000 people out of poverty and created around 500,000 jobs.
As a leading multilateral development bank, ADB continues to promote inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth throughout Asia and the Pacific. Since its establishment in 1966, ADB—owned by 69 members, including 50 from the region—has partnered with governments and organizations to finance innovative solutions, build infrastructure, and improve the quality of life for millions across the region.
