WASHINGTON, D.C., March 31, 2026 — The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a program for results for El Salvador that will contribute to accelerating learning in basic education, strengthening pedagogic practices, and integrating the use of technology across the education system, in order to develop the foundational skills that will enable students, in the future, to improve their labor market insertion and access higher-productivity employment.

The Accelerate Learning in El Salvador with Digital Innovation (AprendES) program will be implemented in El Salvador’s public schools serving students in grades 2 to 11.

“Investing in education is a direct investment in the professionalization and employability of the next generation,” said the Minister of Finance, Jerson Posada. “This program strengthens the capacities of our students and teachers and supports the preparation of better-trained young people to meet the demands of an increasingly competitive labor market.”

The program, to be implemented by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, will operate under a results-based financing scheme that links disbursements to the achievement of progress in learning, effective use of technology, and institutional strengthening. This is the first time a Program-for-Results loan has been introduced in the country.

Interventions are organized across three results areas. The first directly supports learning in the classroom through structured pedagogy with digital resources and a remediation program, with the objective of improving outcomes in reading and mathematics. School principals are also prioritized so they can take on a more active role in the pedagogical accompaniment of teachers.

The second area seeks to strengthen the capacity of the education system through monitoring learning progress and improved decision-making, via the implementation of educational assessments and the strengthening of education management and information systems. The third drives the effective integration of technology by ensuring connectivity, functional devices, and digital platforms that support learning and the development of skills relevant to working life.

“AprendES reflects how digital innovation, including the responsible use of data-driven tools and technologies such as artificial intelligence, can personalize learning, strengthen teaching practice, and improve decision-making in the education system,” said Carine Clert, World Bank Country Manager for El Salvador and Costa Rica. “We accompany El Salvador in building stronger, forward-looking educational pathways, harnessing innovation to unlock talent and prepare students with the skills that drive employment, productivity, and more inclusive growth.”

The project is financed by a US$501 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and supports a broader government program to be implemented between 2026 and 2031. It complements the “Growing Up and Learning Together” loan, which supports early childhood education and care.

All the information about the project can be found here.

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