The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) is not a bank in the traditional sense, but rather, a unique financial institution whose main objective is to reduce poverty and support development for those living in the bottom 40 percent. This goal can be achieved by offering concessional loans and grants to the world’s poorest countries, benefitting aspects like global education.

On July 24th, a second round of funding was approved and given to the Republic of Mozambique’s Education Sector Support Project (ESSP) in the amount of $50 million, reports the World Bank. Today, Mozambique is one of the first countries to receive a grant under the new funding model implemented by Global Partnerships, in which funds will be controlled through ESSP.

These grants are important initiatives in supporting ESSP to improve their access, quality and equity of education, which has grown tremendously from 67 to 82 percent between 2009 to 2014. Despite their increased registration of students within schools, challenges are present when it comes to the learning outcomes within primary education.

Education in Mozambique faces a number of challenges including low retention, a sub-optimal learning environment and overall management at a school-level.

According to the World Bank, the objectives of ESSP include “improving school readiness (through expanding access to Early Childhood Development programs); enhancing learning environment, through the implementation of a curriculum reform and additional teacher training; and enhancing local management and governance through increased supervision by districts, enhanced capacity of school councils, as well as the targeting of resources to achieve learning for all, with a focus on the most vulnerable.”

Currently, the World Bank’s efforts are grounded in sharing knowledge with countries around the world, focusing on seeing results in developing countries, reforming every aspect of their work to further improve communication and ensuring open access to this information through accessible and free websites and opportunities for discussion.

– Nikki Schaffer

Sources: World Bank 1, World Bank 2
Photo: ADPP