According to the Bank’s website, in the context of the global learning crisis aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Bangladesh reaffirmed its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goal 4 at the Transforming Education Summit in September 2022. The commitment is reflected in a government program consisted of medium and longer-term initiatives to transform education. These initiatives include the (i) introduction of the new competency-based curriculum which emphasizes student-centered, experiential learning to develop foundational and 21st century skills (National Curriculum Framework 2021); (ii) development of digital platforms, digital literacy and skills for digital transformation (Smart Bangladesh ICT Master Plan 2041); (iii) promotion of blended learning approaches to provide students and teachers with more flexible and personalized learning experiences (National Blended Education Master Plan 2022-2031); (iv) increased support for skills development of students for smooth school-to-work transition (Integrated Technical and Vocational Education and Training Development Action Plan 2020); and (v) development of a highly skilled and well-recognized teaching workforce (Secondary Teacher Development Strategy 2019). ADB's results-based lending (RBL) program will support a time slice of the broader government program and its implementation, with a special attention to lagging areas and groups in the initial stages.

Safeguard Categories:

Environment: B (the program will support the extension and upgrading of infrastructure and facilities of selected schools and government training institutions under outputs 1 and 3. The potential impacts of civil works are minor, temporary, site specific, and mitigation measures are readily available. A program safeguards system assessment will be conducted by staff with the support of TA consultants to understand and analyze the program's likely positive and negative impacts and the adequacy of the program environment safeguard systems to manage potential environmental risks. An environmental assessment and review framework will be prepared to minimize the impacts during construction works).

Involuntary Resettlement: C (the program does not anticipate any involuntary resettlement impacts or land acquisition. All sites proposed for civil works will be screened and those with involuntary resettlement impacts or requiring land acquisition will be excluded from the RBL program. The program safeguards system assessment will cover the involuntary resettlement safeguards systems and capacity of the implementing agencies to screen sites and manage involuntary resettlement).

Indigenous Peoples: B (the program is expected to have positive impacts on the ethnic communities. The program will prioritize lagging areas such as disadvantaged communities and areas vulnerable to climate-induced and other hazards in the initial stages. The ethnic communities in the three hill districts of Chattogram (Rangamati, Khagrachari, and Bandarban) lag in secondary education performance due to various reasons including their remoteness and climate vulnerability. The program safeguards system assessment will cover policies and programs for the ethnic communities and the capacity of the implementing agencies to address underlying issues affecting secondary education performance of the ethnic communities).

Ordinary capital resources: US$ 200.00 million

Concessional ordinary capital resources lending: US$ 100.00 million

No contacts available at the time of disclosure.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

You can submit an information request for project information at: https://www.adb.org/forms/request-information-form

ADB has a two-stage appeals process for requesters who believe that ADB has denied their request for information in violation of its Access to Information Policy. You can learn more about filing an appeal at: https://www.adb.org/site/disclosure/appeals

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF ADB

The Accountability Mechanism is an independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who believe they are likely to be, or have been, adversely affected by an Asian Development Bank-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the Accountability Mechanism, they may investigate to assess whether the Asian Development Bank is following its own policies and procedures for preventing harm to people or the environment. You can learn more about the Accountability Mechanism and how to file a complaint at: http://www.adb.org/site/accountability-mechanism/main.