The government has requested a transaction technical assistance (TA) to support the MOE and program states in implementing the proposed RBL program. The TA aims to strengthen the capacity of implementation agencies in the program states and that of MOE through technical advisory inputs, monitoring and capacity building support, and coordination with expert services. The TA will facilitate the sharing of good practices and innovative solutions across the states, which will help disseminate effective learning strategies. The TA is listed in the country operations business plan for India, 2021-2023.

To address India's learning crisis and learning loss during the COVID-19 pandemic, the RBL program will assist the five states to (i) transform selected government schools into exemplar schools to demonstrate quality learning interventions; (ii) enhance foundational learning for primary students to recover from learning loss; (iii) strengthen the practical relevance of secondary curriculum by focusing on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM); and vocational and 21st century skills; (iv) mainstream digital learning with improved information and communication technology structure and digital contents; (v) enhance the capacity of teachers and school leaders; and (vi) strengthen an integrated management information system for efficient and effective school management. By supporting the program states to scale up innovative practices, the program aims to strengthen the state education system to produce coherent quality outcomes and transformative impacts. The RBL program is expected to directly benefit about 5 million students and 15,800 schools across the five states (about 200-500 exemplar schools and 2,000-3,000 cluster schools per state).

India has achieved significant progress in expanding access to education over the past two decades: enrollment at the primary level became near universal by 2016, and enrollment at the secondary level increased from just 33% in 2000 to 70% in 2018. Gender parity has also been achieved, with enrollment of girls now exceeding that of boys, although there is some variation across the states. However, increased enrollment has not yet been translated into learning. National learning assessments show that students at grades 3, 5 and 8 are not acquiring competencies expected at each grade level.F Low proficiency in early grades also leads to high dropout rates and low completion rates as students move through secondary education. To address ongoing challenges in school education, the Ministry of Education (MOE) shifted its focus from the earlier emphasis on expanding access to improving the quality of education. The MOE in 2018 launched a centrally-sponsored scheme Samagra Shiksha with the aim of supporting states in ensuring the quality of education, particularly inclusive and equitable learning outcomes.

Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (2.0 million USD)

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