ADB is working across Asia and the Pacific to promote quality, accessible education for all to support sustainable development.
ADB will host the 11th edition of its International Education and Skills Forum themed "Applying a Fresh Lens to Unlock the Power of Human Capital" on 3-5 December 2025 at its headquarters in Manila. The event promises to be pivotal in raising awareness of complex and inter-twined changes influencing the course of education and skills development and shaping new directions for investments in education and skills that lead to enhanced development impact.
Children who are unable to go to school, even in countries where enrolment levels are high, tend to be from the poorest and most disadvantaged in society.
The digital capabilities of students and their access to the tools and content required for digital education are key pillars of the digital education ecosystem. However, access to devices most suitable for remote learning, such as laptops and computers, is low.
Training institutions provide courses to teach 4IR relevant skills and technologies but the use of 4IR technologies in training delivery is limited.
ADB has been working for more than 50 years in Asia and the Pacific to expand and improve education at all levels and has allocated about 15ドル billion in loans and grants to the sector. The bank has played an important role in Asia’s achievements in education; today 9 out of 10 children in the region are enrolled in primary school. But daunting challenges, particularly in quality of learning, remain if countries are to become successful knowledge economies. Reducing inequality in education is central to poverty reduction. ADB has supported many projects that promote inclusivity, such as education scholarships and stipends linked to conditional cash transfer programs.
These inclusivity programs have often had positive results, particularly when targeted at girls, poor households and marginalized groups. ADB will also focus on the future of work, green transformation, digital learning, and strong foundational skills. These are the most critical areas that developing member countries (DMCs) will need to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s a clear link between quality education and economic competitiveness. The bank is working to support its DMCs improve universities and vocational training centers to better align them with national economic needs. ADB is committed to working with its partners to find new ways of sustainably financing education at all levels.
Results delivered in 2024 from ADB projects.
People enrolled in improved education or training
Women and girls completing secondary and tertiary education, and/or other training
People benefiting from improved health services,
education services, or social protection
ADB is supporting primary and secondary education in 19 of its developing member countries (DMCs). While most countries in Asia and the Pacific have achieved almost universal primary education, many have yet to achieve universal secondary education.
ADB estimates that schools in developing Asia were closed for 272 days on average, or 73% of learning time, between February 2020 and October 2021. The average length of school closures was particularly long in South Asia (375 days) and shorter in the Pacific (42 days).
ADB supports vocational education, for example this program in Bangladesh. New institutions are needed to support companies in setting up work-based training arrangements. Vocational skills training should be closely linked to industry.
Education Specialist (Technical and Vocational Education and Training)
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About ADB
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet.
Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.
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