The program comprised a policy-based loan (PBL) and a project grant. It was aligned with the government’s Education Sector Development Framework (ESDF) approved in 2009. It combined national reforms with a focus on targeted investments in 30 poor and educationally disadvantaged districts with a majority of ethnic students. The expected impact was improved educational attainment in Lao PDR, and the outcome was enhanced equity, quality, and efficiency of secondary education in the country.