On October 1, Tajikistan signed an agreement with the World Bank to receive its fourth Global Partnership for Education Fund Grant. This $16.2 million grant will be used to build upon multiple educational initiatives undertaken by the country’s Ministry of Education since receiving the first grant from the Global Partnership for Education (previously known as the Education for All Fast Track Initiative Catalytic Fund) in 2006.
These funds will subsidize four categories of educational improvement for all of Tajikistan. First, programs will work to improve access to early childhood education which is currently inadequate or completely lacking in many parts of the country. Second, efforts will be made to improve general education by funding teacher training, upgrading curricula, and providing updated teaching materials. Third, funds will go towards school construction, renovation and furnishing to improve students’ educational environment. Lastly, reforms will take place within the national educational system itself to build capacity and ensure these ongoing reform efforts receive the long-term governmental support they require.
According to World Bank Country Manager for Tajikistan, Marsha Olive, “this comprehensive project aims to ensure that the children of Tajikistan, especially the most marginalised including girls, ethnic minorities, rural children, and children with disabilities, are afforded the opportunity to achieve their education goals for future development and success.”
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Tajikistan gained independence then quickly entered into a civil war that lasted from 1992 until 1997. These events destabilized the country and severely damaged the economy. As a result, the country continues to struggle and ranks as one of the poorest countries in the region.
Tajikistan’s ongoing struggle to recover from these events has significantly impacted the educational system. In the National Strategy for Education Development (2006-2015), the Ministry of Education identified several conditions negatively impacting the country in its attempt to provide quality education to its citizens. These include: a high rate of population growth, insufficient public funding, an outdated educational system, as well as inadequate facilities, teachers and curricula. These conditions have resulted in declines in the quality of education offered and the quantity of students enrolling and attending schools.
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