ISLAMABAD: The World Bank said on Monday it had approved a $47.9 million grant to support education reforms in Pakistan’s Punjab province, aiming to expand access to schooling, strengthen teacher training, and improve learning outcomes for millions of children.
The funds, provided through the Global Partnership for Education Fund, will finance the Getting Results: Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services and System Transformation in Punjab Project. The initiative will expand early childhood education, re-enroll out-of-school children, provide remedial learning at the elementary level, and strengthen the sector’s ability to respond to climate shocks and emergencies.
The announcement comes as Pakistan continues to grapple with a severe education crisis. According to UNICEF and government estimates, about 26 million children remain out of school nationwide, the majority of them girls. Punjab, the country’s most populous province, has made progress in expanding access but still struggles with gaps in quality, inclusivity, and resilience to climate-related disruptions such as floods.
“This project represents a crucial step toward addressing learning poverty and ensuring equitable access to quality education across Punjab,” said Bolormaa Amgaabazar, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan.
