A US$13.7 million loan to modernize the education system and help school children improve learning outcomes

The Inter-American Development Bank has approved a US$13.7 million loan to help improve the quality of education from pre-primary through junior secondary in Suriname.

The funds will support the government’s plan to strengthen the efficiency and quality of the new basic education system and increase the learning outcomes of students in pre-primary (4–5 year-olds), primary (6–12), and junior secondary (13–16).

“Improving the learning outcomes in core subjects of Dutch and mathematics, training all of Suriname’s approximately 5,000 primary school teachers, supporting efforts to streamline the education system, and exploring the use of information and communication technologies in schools will dramatically improve graduates’ ability to access the labor market,” said IDB project team leader Annelle Bellony.

IDB lending will finance the Government of Suriname’s two-phased education program. Phase I will focus on developing the curriculum framework for the entire basic education system and on increasing learning outcomes of students in grades 1–8. Additionally, Phase I will also support plans to build teacher housing in the interior of Suriname. Phase II will center on improving learning outcomes in junior secondary grades. The current financing focuses on Phase I, year 1–4 of the program.

As a result of the program, the following are expected: better learning outcomes and improved Dutch language and mathematics skills, as measured by year-end examinations; lower dropout and repetition rates and higher primary completion and junior secondary enrollment rates.

In addition, under the program 5,000 teachers will be trained in participatory teaching methodologies; 10 schools will pilot ICTs in education modules; new schools will be built, and fully equipped and existing schools renovated and expanded; and 150 schools will be linked to a student performance tracking system.

The loan is for a 20-year term, with a four-year grace period and a LIBOR-based interest rate. The Government of Suriname will contribute $750,000 to the program’s budget.