World Bank Grants $600M Loan for Philippine Educational Reform

Photo courtesy of Manila Bulletin

The World Bank has approved a $600-million loan to enhance the Philippine education system, announced on April 6. This initiative targets over 21 million K-10 students and around 770,000 teachers, aiming to improve literacy and numeracy across public schools. The Project for Learning Upgrade Support and Decentralization (PLUS-D) will be implemented through the Department of Education, addressing foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and mathematics.

Get today's headlines by email

Despite expanded access to basic education, the Philippines is experiencing a severe learning crisis. The World Bank highlights that 91% of 10-year-olds in the country cannot read age-appropriate texts—a condition termed "learning poverty." Contributing factors include inadequate teaching standards, poor school infrastructure, and subpar learning resources. The program will support classroom assessments, teacher training, and the development of inclusive learning materials.

PLUS-D will provide grants to 10 regional DepEd offices and over 11,100 schools. It will also benefit the Alternative Learning System and support out-of-school youth and adults to complete their basic education. According to World Bank officials, this initiative is crucial for the Philippines to build a skilled workforce essential for economic growth and job creation.

Looking forward, the project will prioritize expanding digitalization and decentralization within the education system, alongside fostering school autonomy and accountability. The World Bank's involvement in the Philippines marks the third loan approval in recent months, following $1-billion and $800-million loans for various development projects.

Join the discussion?

  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Manila Bulletin · 06 Apr 2026