Dr Phout Simmalavong chairs a meeting on Monday to announce further World Bank support for education in Laos. --Photo Vientiane Mai newspaper

World Bank provides US$9.7 million for education development

The World Bank has approved financing of more than US$9.7 million  (more than US$4.4 million in the form of a grant and US$5.2 million as a loan) to support 223 activities under the Lao PDR Global Partnership for Education III: Learning and Equity Acceleration Project (GPEIII: LEAP) in 2023.
 The new funding tranche was announced on Monday at a Restructuring Mission meeting between the Ministry of Education and Sports and the World Bank team.
The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Education and Sports, Assoc. Prof. Dr Phout Simmalavong.
The main objectives of the mission were to discuss key government priorities and ensure they are reflected in the project; discuss key lessons and bottlenecks, and agree on activities and indicators that need restructuring; provide technical support to advance the implementation of the project’s components and on-going activities; and review project performance and address any issues related to procurement, safeguards, and fiduciary of the project.
Dr Phout said “The project began in 2021 with funding of US$46.9 million to carry out numerous activities in 148 districts of 18 provinces to strengthen teacher and system performance in Laos.”
The World Bank team has overcome many challenges over the past two years and achieved many successes, he added.
The GPEIII: LEAP project is being carried out over a five-year period from 2021 to 2026, with activities taking place at the national, provincial, district, cluster, and village/school levels.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update February 15, 2023)