World Bank grants $10 million for education sector development

World Bank has provided $10 million (MVR 154.2 million) for a project to build professionals in the Maldives education sector.

The five-year joint project conducted by the Maldives Ministry of Education and that World Bank was launched by Education Minister Dr. Asim Ahmed today. At the ceremony, Dr Asim said that the project will be funded by $10 million provided by World Bank and an additional $1 million contributed by the Maldives government.

“This project that we’re launching today is very important to the Maldives. This project was put together within a period of 6 month. This is a free grant of $10 million by the World Bank to the Maldives education sector, first since 2008. It will be carried out with the World Bank’s $10 million and a contribution of $1 million by the Maldivian government,” Dr. Asim said.

Minister Asim said that the project would increase the general education standards in the country, train teachers and build other personnel for the education sector. He said that , a long-term plan will be assembled under the initiative, which will include special programs to strengthen higher education in the Maldives.

He noted that up until today, Maldives education sector did not have a proper long-term plan and this future plan will be the first of such in the country.

The Minister also said that this initiative will see 13 schools expanded, renovated and upgraded across the country.

“Under this five year project, we will also expand school capacities. More room will be added to 13 different schools. Other furniture will also be added, and computer labs will be established in 34 schools. Science laboratories will be built in 29 schools, including upgrades to existing science labs and equipment,” Minister said.

Speaking at a news conference, World Bank Lead Education Specialist, Dr. Harsha Aturupane said that developing professionals, especially in the education sector, is a special priority for the organization.

He said that the World Bank will closely monitor the project and that they have planned to review its progress every 6 months, with the first review focused on the implementation of the project and the other focused how the funds are disbursed.

The five-year project will focus on increasing the level of education for 74,000 thousand students, train 5000 teachers and an additional 800 professional for the education sector in the Maldives.