Announcement of Second Education Loan to Jamaica on March 4, 1971

INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR . , F~ECONS-fRUCTJOl'J i\ND DEVEL~OPMEt~T· 1818 H STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON D. C. 20433 TELEPHONE: EXECUTIVE 3-6360 Bank Press Release No. 71/12 Subject: Second education loan to March 4, 1971 Jamaica A second project, designed to bring the education system of Jamaica into line with the manpower needs of the economy, will be supported by a World Bank loan equivalent to $13. 5 million. The project is the second phase of t·Ri{!, Government's 1966-1980 education developmen.t plan. The first phase, due to be completed by the end of 1971, was • assisted by a $9.5 million World Bank loan made in 1966 to help finance the construction of 50 junior secondary schools and the expansion of facilities for teacher add technician training. The World Bank loan for the second phase will assist the further expansion and improvement of secondary education and vocational training, and the improvement of primary and out-of-school education. Jamaica's education development plan aims at supplying a growing labor market with middle-level manpower and increasing the nuni>er and quality of students trained to meet professional and subprofessional requirements. At the present time there is a high rate of unemployment among the untrained, particularly among school-leavers without vocational training, and a great demand for skilled laborers. • /more Bank P.R. lfo. 71/12 -- Jamaica -- education - 2 - Under the new project, which will cost an estimated $28e2 million, • a total of 40 junior and coq,rehensive secondary schools, three teacher training institutions, and two vocational training centers w:Lll be built or expanded and equipped to increase enrollment by 19,300 and to improve their quality. Part of the World Bank loan will assist the extension of instructional television (ITV) programs, which will be increased from 29 to SO per week. Present ITV programs are channeled through the local television station and have been effective in aiding senior departments in primary schC>Ols. Finally, the loan will provide for technical assistance for educational planning and services for the project's components. A Project Unit in the Ministry of Education (Kingston, Jamaic:a) which has the responsibility of executing the project under the ea~lier Bank loan, will be in charge of implementing the new project. • Jamaica's long-term education development plan was prepared by the Government with assistance of the lJnited Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UHESCO). Besides the World Bank, Jamaica has received or is receiving financial and technical assistance to carry out the plan from Canada, Gennany, the United KingC:"".,. and the United States. The International Labor Organization (ILO) is helping Jamaica to set up a centralized unit for industrial and vocational training. The World Bank loan will be for a term of 25 years, including a 10-year grace period, and bear interest of 7-1/4% per annum. - 0 - • ,,