The objective of the project according to the bank document is to "create international-standard student-friendly schools with state-of-the-art technology and facilities for creating child friendly learning environments through large-scale school infrastructure upgradation." The investment provided will support the up-gradation of the ' Gujarat Outcomes for Accelerated Learning Program (GOAL)' which will focus on the following: improved school infrastructure with the enhancement of child-friendly learning environments; improved foundational learning and assessments; strengthened teacher development; and decentralized district-based planning and management systems for educational outcomes.

The program is expected to improve student outcomes in schools in Gujarat through infrastructure consolidation and facelift, technology, curriculum reforms and professional development of teachers. AIIB’s financing will flow exclusively into DLI 5 of GOAL: Improved learning environment in schools and teacher education institutions (6,000 schools and five teacher education institutes).

Virtual state-level consultations were conducted by the WB as part of the ESSA preparation and the final version of the ESSA has been disclosed on the client and World Bank websites. Per the Right to Education Act 2009, the Government of Gujarat has authorized local authorities to perform grievance redress mechanism function. The system also specifies the type of grievance, authority charged with provision, time duration for decision, the appellate authority, and time for grievance redressal by the appellate authority.

As required under the WB's PforR Policy, the program excludes activities that are likely to have significant adverse ES impacts that are sensitive, irreversible, or unprecedented (similar to Category A if AIIB's ESP were applicable). An Environmental and Social Systems Assessment (ESSA), which involves assessing the Government of Gujarat's Education Department for GOAL has been conducted by the WB in accordance with its PforR Policy. The ESSA is complemented by a program action plan at the operational level. The findings and recommendations of the ESSA as well as the corresponding program action plan are based on review of relevant environmental and social management systems of the Samagra Shiksha Program in Gujarat, and further consultations with key stakeholders. These include recommendations to strengthen environment systems focus on among others (a) improving implementation/outreach of existing systems/standards on environment health and safety to address inter-district variations that exist currently; (b) scaling-up the 'green school' model; and (c) addressing disaster and climate-related challenges through up-stream planning, improving building/infrastructure design and sensitization/preparedness and curriculum delivery. With respect to strengthening social systems, recommendations include screening for E&S risks/impacts for all civil works. In addition, though land acquisition and/or resettlement is not anticipated, in case the need arises, the WB core safeguard policy on land acquisition and resettlement will be followed and due process are to be instituted in consultation with WB task team.

AIIB's financing will support the strategic development and rehabilitation of the school network in Gujarat to address the pressing infrastructure needs. AIIB will finance the infrastructure and technology components of the Gujarat Outcomes for Accelerated Learning Program (GOAL).

This Program will be co-financed with WB as lead co-financier, and its environmental and social (ES) aspects have been assessed in accordance with the WB's Policy on PforR financing (PforR Policy). AIIB's Environmental and Social Policy (ESP) was designed to apply to investment projects and has no provisions for its application to PforR operations. Therefore, theWB's PforR Policy will apply to this operation in lieu of AIIB's ESP.