ISLAMABAD, Nov 16: The Asian Development Bank will provide a technical assistance grant of $1.1 million for boosting access to quality education and vocational training in Pakistan by using Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

It will be the ADB’s first private sector-led investment in an education project which is expected to open up new vistas of online learning opportunities for students and teachers who do not have an access to quality educational and training resources.

The grant will go to the ‘TeleTaleem’ project which aims to set up 500 learning centres and points-of-access in next five years.

Around 100,000 students and 10,000 teachers across the country are expected to benefit from the project.

ADB Country Director Werner E. Liepach and Chief Executive Officer of TeleTaleem Asad Kareem signed an agreement to this effect here on Thursday.

The ADB will look into the possibility of expanding the use of ICT by defining strategies, frameworks and financially self-sustaining development and marketing plans for adaptation.

TeleTaleem will use the ICT to deliver effective content to students and teachers with an objective to enhancing student achievement and teacher competence.

“The project will hugely benefit students and teachers, particularly girls in remote parts of the country who seek access to good educational opportunities,” said Philip Erquiaga, Director General of ADB’s Private Sector Operations Department.