Colombia: World Bank Approves $20 million to Broaden Antioquia Youth’s Opportunities

Contacts:

In Washington: Gabriela Aguilar (202) 473-6768

gaguilar2@worldbank.org

In Bogota: María Clara Ucrós: (+571) 326-3600 ext. 259

mucros@worldbank.org

WASHINGTON, November 27^th, 2007 — The World Bank Board of Directors approved today a $20 million loan to support Antioquia Department, Colombia, in its efforts to broaden employment opportunities for its disadvantaged youngsters, through a widening of these groups’ access to quality upper secondary education.

The loan strives to provide young people with abilities and general aptitudes that would allow them to increase their potential for higher education or to successfully take part in the labor market.

“Improving access to quality education is a key to improving opportunities for lower-income youth”, stated Axel van Trotsenburg, World Bank Director for Colombia and Mexico. “Educational quality and equal opportunity”, added the official, “are central for Colombia to take advantage of the global economy”.

Antioquia’s upper secondary education project will finance specific details of the Educational Development Plan and looks to increase the gross enrollment rate in public secondary schools from 46% to 66%, and net enrollment from 22% to 36%. It will also contribute towards improving average scores in the national Math —from 44 to 47— and Language —from 46 to 49— examinations.

Amongst the project’s objectives, focused on lower income kids, is increasing the secondary education graduation rate in the poorest areas from 81.2% to 90%, as well as the transition rate of students from secondary to higher education.

In this way, the project will support the long-term view of Antioquia Department’s authorities which contemplates higher employment for young people as well as better competitiveness in the labor force. These goals can be achieved through greater equitable access, and retention rate, to secondary education, through better results in equality and an increase in the number of public school graduates who carry on to higher education.

“This project is important for the development and competitiveness of Antioquia. We acknowledge the support given by the governor elect towards its implementation”, stated Martha Laverde, World Bank Education Specialist, in charge of the project.

###

If you wish to learn more about the World Bank’s work in Colombia, please visit: www.bancomundial.org/co