ECC approves PKR4bn for Inclusive and Responsive Education

May 14, 2023

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved a Rs 4 billion technical supplementary grant (TSG) for “Actions to Strengthen Performance for Inclusive and Responsive Education (ASPIRE)” program, which is being implemented with the financial support of the World Bank.

The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (FE&PT) is implementing the ASPIRE program, which aims to reduce poverty and increase access to education in lagging districts of Pakistan. The program has a total budget of US$ 200 million, of which US$ 150 million is earmarked for five years as budgetary support for federal and provincial education departments. The remaining US$ 50 million is included as a budgetary support for the Federal Finance Division to facilitate the annual allocation of funds.

The ECC approved the TSG to support the annual allocation of funds for the ASPIRE program. The TSG will be used to provide performance grants to provinces, improve the quality of education, and increase access to education in lagging districts of Pakistan.

The ASPIRE program is a major step forward in the government’s efforts to improve education in Pakistan. The program is expected to make a significant contribution to reducing poverty and improving the lives of people in lagging districts of the country.