Afghanistan - Third Education Project

Document of The World Bank FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Report No. P-2491 -AF REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ON A PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT CREDIT TO THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF AFGHANISTAN FOR A THIRD EDUCATION PROJECT March 19, 1979 This document has a restricted distibution and may be used by recipients only in the performance of their official duties. Its contents may not otherwise be disclosed without World Bank authorization.  CURRENCY EQUIVALEWTS Calendar 1978 February 22, 1979 Currency Unit: Afghani (Af.) US$1 : Afs. 40.24 Afs. 4o.o Af. 1 : us$o.o2485 US$0.025 Note: An exchange rate of Afs. 40.0:US$l has been used to calculate project costs. FISCAL YEAR March 21 to March 20 GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS ATEA - Academy for Teacher Trainers and Administrators CUME - Construction Unit, Ministry of Education ICB - International Competitive Bidding MOE - Ministry of Education MOHE - Ministry of Higher Education PIU - Project Implementation Unit TTI - Teacher Training Institute UK ODM - United Kingdom Overseas Development Ministry  FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF AFGHANISTAN THIRD EDUCATION PROJECT CREDIT AND PROJECT SUMMARY Borrower: Democratic Republic of Afghanistan Beneficiaries: Ministries of Education and Higher Education Ministries of Finance, Planning, Agriculture, Mines and Industry, and Public Health Amount: US$21.0 million equivalent Terms: Standard Project Description: The principal objective of the project is to expand primary education on a regional basis, and improve its quality through primary teacher training and curricula reform. Another objective is to strengthen the planning and administrative capacities of the Ministries of Education and Higher Education. The project would include: (a) new primary teacher training institutes (partly in replacement of existing inadequate facilities); (b) special provisions to attract women trainees; (c) an academy to train teacher trainers, administrators and planners; (d) curricula reform to make the education system more community and development-oriented; (e) demonstration schools; and (f) related technical assistance. Incremental annual output from the project institutions is estimated at about 1400 teachers, and about 275 trainers, administrators and planners. In addition, the upgraded replacement facilities would produce some 1200 teachers and some 25 trainers annually. The proposed project also includes feasibility studies for specialized technical institutions in the areas of management and planning, accounting, mining, and nursing and paramedics; and a pre-investment design for an agricultural extension and staff training and resources center; these are expected to lay the basis for a future project. A possible lack of interest among foreign contractors, and a limited capacity within the domestic construction industry are recognized as risks. Measures to encourage the participation of foreign and domestic contractors, and the expansion and strengthening of the project unit should reduce these risks. The recruitment of a coordinator should limit the risks associated with the implementation of the sizeable technical assistance program. The project would be carried out over 5 years. This document has a restricted distribution and may be used by recipients only in the performance of their official duties. Its contents may not otherwise be disclosed without World Bank authorization.  - ii - Estimated Costs: Local Foreign Total ----- US$ Millions ------- One teacher training complex 2.3 1.9 4.2 Six teacher training institutes 10.6 7.8 18.4 Technical assistance 0.3 2.0 2.3 Total Base Cost 13.2 11.7 24.9 Physical Contingencies 1.3 1.1 2.4 Price Contingencies 2.5 2.2 4.7 Total Project Cost 17.0 15.0 32.0 Financing Plan: Total Cost IDA Government