More children to school by providing free textbooks and stipends for girls
Primary school enrollment rates increased from 45% in 2001-02 to 62% in 2006-07
Rural-urban and gender disparities still remaining
June 4, 2009—The World Bank has approved $350 million to support the education reform program of the provincial Government of Punjab, designed to improve access, quality, and governance in education.
The program focuses on attracting more children to school by providing free textbooks, stipends for girls, and subsidies to low-fee private schools. It also aims to improve school facilities and encourage need-based teacher recruitment. These are accompanied by initiatives to strengthen professional development for teachers, build capacity of school councils, and improve financial management and procurement systems.
The Bank has supported this program since 2004 through a series of four Punjab Education Development Policy Credits. During this period there has been a steady increase in primary enrollment in the province.
The Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement surveys indicate that net enrollment rates at the primary level increased from 45% in 2001-02 to 62% in 2006-07. This is above the national average of 56% but still far below enrollment rates elsewhere in South Asia.
During the same period there were noticeable improvements in girls’ enrollment rates at the primary level, jumping from 43% to 59% countrywide.
However, large rural-urban and gender disparities still remain, and less than 30% of children complete secondary education. And despite gains in student enrollment, these have yet to translate into improved student learning. It is these gaps that this project seeks to address.
For more information, please visit the Projects website.
RSS