WASHINGTON, January 7, 2025 - The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors yesterday approved a new project in Meghalaya to better equip 500,000 adolescents to make the transition from school to work - by reducing dropouts, improving learning outcomes and offering guidance for accessing jobs and starting businesses.
Meghalaya's adolescents, who constitute over 24 percent of the state population, are facing barriers to their education, and to their physical and mental health. School dropout at the upper primary level is 11 percent, three times the national average, and 22 percent at the secondary level, close to double the national average. In addition, substance abuse, early marriage and teenage pregnancy have exacerbated these challenges.
The $35 million Meghalaya Multisectoral Project for Adolescent Wellbeing, Empowerment and Resilience (MPOWER) will help in strengthening learning outcomes for adolescents in grades 6-12, by closing gaps in students' reading and math skills. To reduce dropout rates, the project will equip students with life skills, mental health awareness and provide guidance on career choices. Special focus will be on reaching student dropouts and providing them with the same support. The project, in partnership with Meghalaya State Skills Development Society, will also impart business skills to budding entrepreneurs and out-of-school adolescents.
Through mentoring programs, innovative web platforms and community clubs, the project will also work closely with parents and students to create diverse forums for learning. Youth will receive information on sexual reproductive health to help reduce teen pregnancies and ensure school completion.
"The holistic wellbeing approach, adopted under this project, reflects learning from states such as Jharkhand where similar initiatives are enhancing adolescent learning outcomes," said Auguste Tano Kouamé, the World Bank's Country Director for India.
International experience has shown that the likelihood of securing quality jobs increases significantly with the completion of education.
"The project design has also benefited from World Bank operations in Tanzania and Bangladesh - where youth engagement through information on job opportunities, counseling and safe community spaces helped reduce school dropout rates," said Pravesh Kumar and Kanupriya Misra, the Task Team Leaders for the project.
Currently, the World Bank has more than 60 projects in its portfolio focusing on access to jobs and job creation for women and youth with a total commitment amount of $9.3 billion.
The $35 million variable spread loan from the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has a final maturity of 15 years, including a grace period of 5 years.
