Vientiane Times, June 5, 2015 – New environment and education projects Launched
The Lao Ministry of Finance and the World Bank have signed two agreements to help strengthen environmental protection and education, worth a total of US$31.8 million (257 billion kip) in Vientiane yesterday.
The agreements were signed by the Deputy Minister of Finance, Ms Thipphakone Chanthavongsa and the Country Director of the Work Bank for Southeast Asia, Mr Ulrich Zachau.
The World Bank is providing US$15 million (121 billion kip) of new financing for the Second Lao Environment and Social Project (LENS2), which supplements the US$23.7 million (192 billion kip) previously provided in April 2014.
LENS2 aims to improve environmental protection management systems, specifically for protected area conservation, the enforcement of wildlife laws and the management of environmental assessments.
An agreement was also signed for the Second Global Partnership for Education Project, which seeks to improve the quality of pre-primary education by increasing funding for schools, supporting school based management and developing a new method for teaching children to read in primary schools.
The project is funded with a US$16.8 million (136 billion kip) four-year grant from the Global Partnership for Education, a multilateral partnership promoting quality education for all children in the World's poorest countries. The Ministry of Education and Sports will implement the project, with support from the World Bank.
CEO of the Global Partnership for Education Secretariat, Ms Alice Albright said “The Global Partnership for Education has been working with partners in Laos since 2009. This new grant will support the country in their efforts to continue improving educational quality by strengthening the education system for generations to come”.
“These two projects will contribute to the continued strengthening of education and environmental protection in Laos, both of which are vital components of the Lao Government's National Socio-Economic Development Plan” said Deputy Minister of Finance, Ms Thipphakone Chanthavongsa.
“The World Bank Group is pleased to offer its strong support for the new Education and Environment and Social Projects” said Country Director of the Work Bank for Southeast Asia, Mr Ulrich Zachau. “Better education will help reduce poverty amongst Lao people, and improved environmental protection will help keep Laos clean and green for future generations”.
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