An estimated 500,000 students and 150,000 teachers across Sri Lanka are set to benefit from a new $50 million additional financing package approved by the World Bank yesterday through its ongoing General Education Modernization Project.
The additional funding will help keep vital education reforms on track, improve teaching quality, upgrade school facilities, and enhance student well-being, with a strong focus on underserved schools, including those in the plantation communities and those supporting children with special needs. Schools across all nine provinces regardless of grade level are expected to benefit from this support.
“This support is about making sure every child in Sri Lanka has the chance to learn in a safe, inclusive environment and that every teacher has the tools they need to help their students thrive,” said David Sislen, World Bank Divisional Director for the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. “We are excited to be working with Sri Lanka to help students and teachers reach their full potential.”
The additional financing will support the improvement of teacher effectiveness by modernizing pre-service teacher education and continuing teacher development, with a strong focus on digital learning. It will also strengthen school health and well-being by supporting a School Health and Nutrition Program, which improves access to clean water and sanitation, promotes menstrual hygiene and reproductive health, and increases mental health support in schools.