WORLD Bank President Ajay Banga categorically refuted allegations on Monday that the bank’s International Finance Corp (IFC) arm attempted to conceal reports of sexual abuse at Bridge International Academies, a for-profit school chain in Kenya, during its ownership stake period from 2013 to 2022.
During a public event at the Centre for Global Development, Banga addressed questions about the IFC’s response to an independent investigation into the allegations. He dismissed claims of a cover-up by the IFC, stating his disagreement with such characterisations.
Banga stated, ‘I just disagree that there was a legal effort to cover it up. That, I will not accept as a question.’ He added, ‘If a cover-up is proven to be so, I will take all the action that is necessary, but merely conjecture that is in a public space, I will refuse to sign up. That’s who I am, I’m sorry if you don’t like it.’
Civil society groups have raised concerns, alleging that the IFC overlooked evidence of child sexual abuse at some of Bridge’s schools in Kenya until the World Bank’s Office of Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) received complaints from parents in 2018, prompting an investigation.
According to Banga, ‘There’s a series of things management could have done better. And that’s the discussion we’re going to have with the board shortly.’
The IFC’s Board of Executive Directors is expected to formally discuss an action plan this month following the CAO’s findings related to the $13.5 million Bridge equity investment, which was divested in March 2022 as part of a strategy to exit for-profit education.
Although the divestment occurred almost a year before Banga assumed his role as the World Bank’s President, he emphasised the necessity of addressing its aftermath as part of his efforts to enhance the institution’s operations.
Bridge International Academies has not responded to requests for comment. However, the firm previously acknowledged isolated cases of sexual abuse in its Kenyan schools, albeit at lower rates than public schools, according to a study commissioned by Tunza Child Safeguarding consultancy.
US Senators Elizabeth Warren and Peter Welch urged Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen last October to ensure thorough investigations into the abuse allegations in Kenya. A Treasury official stated the department’s profound concern and commitment to pressing for transparency and accountability in the investigation.
IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop expressed deep concern over the reports of child sexual abuse, affirming the organisation’s commitment to zero tolerance for abuse in its financed projects. Diop assured a review of the CAO report and pledged to publish a plan for remedial actions approved by the board.
‘IFC was deeply disturbed by the reports of child sexual abuse,’ wrote Diop in a letter to non-profit group Inclusive Development International in November. He further stated that the IFC was reviewing the CAO report and would publish a plan for ‘remedial actions’ when it is approved by the board. He explained that the confidentiality agreement between the IFC and Bridge, criticised by civil society groups, was designed to allow CAO to complete its investigation after the divestment.
Bridge International Academies operates numerous low-cost schools in Africa and South Asia, serving hundreds of thousands of students.
