New Delhi, July 2 -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 182.89 million (in yen equivalent) loan to strengthen the public school system in Karnataka, establishing 500 integrated public schools, according to a statement by the lender.

The multilateral development bank announced on Wednesday it has approved the loan under the Strengthening Karnataka Public Schools Program that will establish 500 integrated public school clusters across the state, offering education from pre-primary to secondary levels.

"It will strengthen teacher competencies, curriculum and assessment systems, school governance and management systems, and science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) learning," it said.

The programme is...