WB, ADB Loans approved for education, water access and women’s empowerment

The World Bank has ap­­proved $194 million in financing for two major development projects in Balochistan to expand educational access and streng­then water security, while the Asian Deve­lopment Bank (ADB) signed a $350m loan agreement for a landmark initiative to boost women’s financial inclusion in Pakistan. The World Bank’s $100m “Getting Results: Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services in Balochistan” (GRADES-Balochistan) project aims to benefit around 250,000 students by increasing enrolment and improving literacy and numeracy in early childhood and primary education. Key components include expanding school readiness through quality early childhood education, introducing double shifts and public-private partnerships to increase school capacity, ensuring safe transport, constructing climate-resilient classrooms, and implementing a comprehensive teacher development programme.