Lao PDR Global Partnership for Education III: Learning and Equity Acceleration Project

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The Lao PDR Global Partnership for Education III: Learning and Equity Acceleration Project (GPE III – LEAP) is financed by a mix of World Bank IDA (US$47.4 million, including the additional US$17.4 million) and GPE grant (US$16.9 million). The Additional Financing (AF) extends the project's implementation period from May 31, 2027, to May 31, 2029, to consolidate and expand achievements in improving learning outcomes and strengthening education systems. The theory of change underlying the components remains centered on three key hypotheses: (1) For schools to produce learning, they need prepared, present and motivated learners who have supportive learning environments before starting Grade 1; (2) For students to learn, they need teachers who are present, motivated, and equipped with adequate content knowledge and pedagogic skills; and (3) Teachers need strong school systems with supportive management, adequate resources, parental engagement, and routine professional management. The project continues with the same three components, now expanded through the AF: Component 1: Prepared and Motivated Learners - Significantly expanded with additional Community Child Development Group (CCDG) shelters (increased from 245 to 305), enhanced Multi-age Teaching (MAT) program (expanded from 262 to 394 schools), extended Reading Readiness Program (RRP) with new read-at-home activities, and expanded National School Meals Program (NSMP) covering 190 additional schools. Component 2: Prepared and Motivated Teachers - Maintained at current scope to consolidate gains in teacher professional development and allocation initiatives.Component 3: Effective Governance for Improving Teaching and Learning - Enhanced with an increased budget allocations up to US$10,000 per district annually to 40 priority districts to support activities financed by the project at the local level. Allocations will be transferred gradually, based on the assessment of needs and capacity. The AF emphasizes deepening impact within existing target areas rather than expanding to new provinces, focusing on the 40 priority districts identified by the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES). It incorporates sustainability features including community-based approaches, climate-resilient infrastructure improvements, and pilot approaches for transitioning program financing. Components 2 and 3 continue to use both traditional expenditure-based financing and a result-based financing approach using performance-based conditions, while Component 1 uses traditional expenditure-based financing. The project remains aligned with the Government of Lao PDR's Education and Sports Sector Development Plan and the World Bank Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Lao PDR (FY2023-FY2026).