‘Critical To Build Success Stories Like This’: US Treasury Secy, World Bank Chief Visit Vidya Samiksha Kendra In Guj

Calling it a “success story”, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen underlined the importance of building on such success stories by expanding capacity.

United States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and World Bank President Ajay Banga on Sunday visited Vidya Samiksha Kendra in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar. Both the top officials interacted with the staff at the Vidya Samiksha Kendra. “A lot of countries do education differently. India with the idea in Gujarat of making classrooms smart and having one minimum smart classroom in every school. There's a lot of implementation on,” said Banga on the occasion, reported news agency ANI.

“The real thing is the data and the tracking. And I think that has converted the conversation from a simple education conversation to how do you get it done in a way that leads to the best results. I like that because I believe that outcome is what we are in the job of doing,” he added. 

“When taxpayers in these countries give us their money, they give it to us for the outcome. How many girls went to school? How much benefit did they get? How many people went to school and benefited from the education? How many people went to a skilling centre and got a better job because of that skilling?”

“That's what they want. They don't want to just know how much money went in. What I like here is the result orientation. And that to me, is the replicable model,” said the World Bank chief. 

"India has more young people than any other country in its population. It will be a demographic dividend if these children have good education, healthcare, water and air, and get good jobs," he added. 

Calling it a “success story”, Yellen underlined the importance of building on such success stories by expanding capacity.

"I believe it's critical that we build on success stories like this by expanding the capacity and the balance sheet of the multilateral development banks. Last October, I set forth a call to action to these banks to do just that,” Yellen remarked. 

“And as a result of steps already taken or under consideration, we believe the MDB system could unlock $200 billion over the next decade with Ajay Banga. We're thrilled that he's the new president of the World Bank, and I strongly have the right, leadership and vision to help deliver on this agenda," she added.