Improving education in the Philippines, and other news (24 January 2020)

Each week we highlight some of the international development stories from across the globe that have caught our attention:

• The Philippine government is launching a programme to build more classrooms across remote areas in the country. The Philippines ranked last in a recent test by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development looking at reading comprehension in 79 countries. The government is promoting a new complimentary approach between the state and private sector to improve education facilities in the country. Read more in Manila Times.
• The implementation of the POISED project supported by the Asian Development Bank and Environment Ministry of the Maldives has begun to introduce solar-battery-diesel hybrid electricity systems in 48 islands; the project aims to ultimately bring hybrid renewable energy to 160 of the inhabited Maldives islands. Read more in Modern Diplomacy.
• The European Union will provide around €10 million to support small- and medium-sized enterprises in Bosnia with the aims to improve the competitiveness of export-orientated sectors, agriculture, tourism, and employment. Read more in Sarajevo Times.
• USAID has launched the first two of their global health awards; collectively worth $130 million the awards are given to increase the capacity of government institutions and local organisations to deliver scaled-up, sustainable reproductive and maternal healthcare. Read more in All Africa.