World Bank Allocates Rs 2460 Crore to Chhattisgarh for Improving School Education Standards – News18

In a significant move to enhance the quality of education and infrastructure in schools, the World Bank has sanctioned a grant of Rs 2460 crore to the state of Chhattisgarh. This initiative, driven by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, aims to benefit approximately 4 million underprivileged children, according to a government official statement released on Wednesday.

The allocated funds will primarily focus on promoting science and business education at the higher secondary level. The Chhattisgarh Accelerated Learning for a Knowledge Economy Operation (CHALK) project, as it is called, aims to support nearly 40 lakh children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and cater to the growing demand for senior secondary science and business studies.

To provide children from impoverished communities with a quality education, the Chhattisgarh government has established Swami Atmanand English and Hindi medium schools across the state. The CHALK project plans to create and manage 600 model schools for students from grades 1 to 12. Rural schools will receive residential facilities for both students and staff.

The World Bank funding will help in various aspects, including providing housing, increasing student enrollment rates, improving educational quality, and promoting science and commerce education in secondary schools throughout the state. It is a significant step towards compensating for the learning setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The project aims to enhance employment prospects in Chhattisgarh’s fast-growing manufacturing and service sectors. It will provide teachers with training programs to make classroom teachings more engaging and enjoyable for children, facilitating a fun-learning experience.

Earlier this year, the Delhi government also allocated a grant-in-aid of ₹1,700 crores for schools under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. The first installment of this grant was released by Delhi Education Minister Atishi on April 20.

The World Bank’s financial support to Chhattisgarh reflects a commendable commitment to improving education and empowering underprivileged children in the state. It is expected to pave the way for a brighter future, offering better educational opportunities and creating a skilled workforce that can contribute to the state’s overall development.