ADB Approves Loan to Boost Quality, Access to Upper Secondary Education

ADB



PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $45 million loan to improve access to quality upper secondary education in Cambodia. The Upper Secondary Education Sector Development Program (USESDP) will support the government’s efforts to improve the quality of its human resources to sustain Cambodia’s economic development and enhance its competitiveness.

“The program will support reforms to improve the effectiveness of upper secondary education to address the increased demand for skilled workers by the labor market,” said Samiuela Tukuafu, ADB’s Country Director in Cambodia. “At the same time, students in disadvantaged provinces, especially female students, will be provided with more opportunities for quality upper secondary education.

Specific measures will include expansion of upper secondary education facilities, including science laboratories and providing information, communications and technology (ICT) learning facilities as well as other equipment and furniture at 12 upper secondary resource centers. Teacher housing units will be provided in areas of high need, as well as scholarships for upper secondary students in the science stream and for teacher candidates attending science and math pre-service training programs.

Upper secondary science, math, and ICT curricula will be reviewed and upgraded, while grade 12 student textbooks and teacher guides will be provided for all subjects. The capacity of school staff and management to evaluate secondary resource schools and of schools to promote the effective utilization of learning resources and the school improvement fund will be strengthened.

ADB has played a major role in education and technical and vocational education and training in Cambodia over the past 15 years. It has provided critical support in sector analyses and in the implementation of education reforms through investments and technical assistance.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, ADB in December 2016 will mark 50 years of development partnership in the region. It is owned by 67 members—48 from the region. In 2015, ADB assistance totaled $27.2 billion, including cofinancing of $10.7 billion.