Guwahati, Jan. 9 -- The World Bank has approved a $35 million project to enhance education in Meghalaya, targeting the state's youth and focusing on reducing dropout rates.

The project, named MPOWER (Meghalaya Multisectoral Project for Adolescent Wellbeing, Empowerment, and Resilience), aims to assist around 500,000 adolescents in successfully transitioning from school to work.

Meghalaya has concerning dropout rates, with 11% of students leaving school at the upper primary level-three times the national average-and 22% dropping out at the secondary level.

The project seeks to address learning gaps in reading and mathematics for students in grades 6-12. It also includes mental health support, career guidance, and life skills training fo...