Basic Education in Western Areas Project

China runs the largest education system in the world, with 20 percent of the world's students. The country spends 3.19 percent of its GDP on education (in 2002 figures.) Basic education enrollment rates are improving and higher education enrollment is expanding rapidly.

 

China's achievement relative to the Millenium Development Goals (MDG) and Education for All (EFA)  targets appear good, but there are local, mainly rural disparities that need to be addressed. Rural household survey data point to sharp disparities in all MDG and EFA indicators. Rural poor, ethnic minorities, girls and migrants are clearly disadvantaged and their education poses a development challenge.

 

The World Bank, in cooperation with DFID, is supporting the Basic Education in Western Areas Project, which focuses on improving access to and completion of affordable and quality basic education for poor boys and girls in 112 counties. It covers poor remote parts of Sichuan, Gansu, Yunnan, Ningxia and Guangxi, where enrollment and completion rates have lagged behind. Approximately 19 percent of the children come from minority areas.

The World Bank is providing $100 million for the project, and DFID an additional $34.4 million. DFID provides important support for the project. In addition to their grant money that is blended to improve the repayment terms of Bank loan funds, the project benefits from their experience in designing a highly participatory project preparation approach, and a school-based management model for education development in poor areas.

Related Links:
  The World Bank and Education for All (EFA)
  Girl's Education: A World Bank Priority 
  UNESCO and EFA Initiatives