THE WORLD Bank will establish an educational program which aims to benefit nearly 2 million elementary school students and 60,000 teachers and school leaders in Mindanao.

The project is called ‘Teacher Effectiveness and Competencies Enhancement Program’ or TEACEP, in which Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao would also be included.

“It will do this by delivering professional development opportunities to teachers through a comprehensive coaching and professional development program. School leaders and supervisors will also receive training to enable them to better support and guide teachers in their instructional practices,” the World Bank said.

TEACEP will give emphasis on topics such as peacebuilding, gender-sensitive instruction, climate and disaster resilience, and inclusive education.

World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand Ndiamé Diop said education plays significant role to the youth as it equips them with knowledge and skills.

“Education is a key driver of development, as it equips people with the knowledge and skills they need to participate in the workforce, contribute to the economy, and improve their standard of living,” Diop said.

Meanwhile, World Bank Senior Economist Sachiko Kataoka said the project will have a powerful impact to the people of Mindanao.

“Focusing educational interventions in these regions known to be among the poorest in Mindanao can have a powerful impact, providing opportunities for people and communities to improve their lives, while also yielding valuable lessons for boosting the overall quality of education nationwide.”