Amid increasing funding constraints to education, Japan has contributed US$1.45 million to GPE’s Multiplier for Madagascar, unlocking another $8.75 million from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), German Committee for UNICEF, and Hempel Foundation to increase access to quality and inclusive education in Madagascar.
Less than one in four students in Madagascar achieves minimum language and math competencies by the end of primary education. The shortage of well-trained teachers, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, further widens learning disparities.
Channeled through GPE, the $10.2 million package is set to enhance the capacity of school management committees, provide remedial lessons, increase school retention, facilitate the re-enrollment of out-of-school children, and build teachers’ pedagogical skills.
“Madagascar’s advancement in the educational sector is crucial for its sustained development and social progress. Japan is committed to supporting this endeavor through strategic partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms such as the GPE Multiplier. We believe that together, we can significantly enhance access to quality education for all children, thereby fostering long-term socio-economic growth in Madagascar,” said Abe Koji, Ambassador of Japan to Madagascar and Comoros.
The GPE Multiplier is an innovative finance mechanism that incentivizes additional external funding to help transform education systems. Countries can unlock a Multiplier grant by securing new and additional funding from a diverse range of partners, including sovereign states, development partners, businesses, and foundations.
JICA has been a pivotal partner in utilizing the GPE Multiplier to co-fund education projects in Mongolia, Senegal, Lao PDR, Papua New Guinea, Ethiopia, Cambodia, and Madagascar.
Through this partnership, JICA has invested approximately $130 million, unlocking almost $40 million from the GPE Multiplier. The new grant will help Madagascar increase access to quality education.
