Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing $70 million in loan for further improvement to the quality of training for secondary school teachers in the country.

While Bangladesh has made significant progress in providing access to secondary education, and has achieved gender parity up to grade 10, the quality of education continues to be a concern, says a press release sent by Bangladesh Resident Mission of ADB.

"Education is one of the pillars of development. This project will strengthen teaching, and help deliver quality education that will prepare Bangladesh's students for the job market or to pursue further education," said Rudi van Dael, social sector specialist in ADB's South Asia Department.

The release said only two in five students who enroll in secondary school education complete it.

"A poor number of schools meet performance and accountability requirements, particularly in disadvantaged locations, and many secondary school graduates are unprepared to enter the workforce in higher job categories or continue to tertiary education."

The project makes up the second phase of the about-to-be completed Teaching Quality Improvement in Secondary Education Project, which instituted significant reforms in teacher education in Bangladesh.

This phase will focus on improving teacher competencies, enhancing the learning environment, and advancing student performance, particularly in science, mathematics, and English language studies.

The loan of $70 million comes from ADB's concessional Asian Development Fund and has a 32-year tenor, including a grace period of 8 years, with an interest charge of 1%, rising to 1.5% for the balance of the term, it said.

The government will also contribute $15 million equivalent.

The Ministry of Education will be the executing agency while the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education will implement the project, which is expected to be completed in 2017.

Financial Express/Bangladesh/ 3rd April 2012