The World Bank authorized a $47.9 million grant on Monday to enhance Punjab's primary education, stating that the initiative will increase early childhood education, re-enroll children who are not in school, and improve support for teachers.

The Global Partnership for Education Fund provided the grant, which is intended to increase the involvement of both boys and girls in pre-primary and primary education, according to a news statement.

The project will also address issues in the education sector that are related to emergencies and climate change.

The project is anticipated to benefit approximately four million children, including 140,000 differently abled children enrolled in Special Education Department (SpED) institutions, 80,000 out-of-school children, over three million students enrolled in SED-run schools, and 850,000 in the non-formal sector.

More than 100,000 teachers, administrators at schools, parents, and community members are going to benefit from professional development and awareness initiatives.

Izza Farrakh, the World Bank Task Team Leader, stated that the initiative is in line with Punjab's larger education reform strategy, which endeavors to establish a more efficient, responsible, and inclusive educational system. Government initiatives to enhance sectoral capability, management, and governance will be aided by it.

The project is a critical step in tackling learning poverty and guaranteeing equitable access to high-quality education throughout Punjab, according to Bolormaa Amgaabazar, the World Bank's Country Director for Pakistan.

Earlier this month, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and World Bank teams concluded the 12th and final review mission of the Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) project.

The World Bank has given Pakistan more than $48.3 billion in aid since it became a member in 1950. Its International Finance Corporation (IFC) has made investments in industries like agribusiness, infrastructure, healthcare, and renewable energy totaling about $13 billion since 1956.

The bank also authorized $100 million in June of this year for the "Getting Results: Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services in Balochistan" (GRADES-Balochistan) initiative, which aims to increase the province's enrollment and literacy rates by focusing on about 250,000 children.