Sri Lanka - Second General Education Project

Report No. PIC4071 Project Name Sri Lanka-Second General Education Project Region South Asia Sector Education Project ID LKPA10525 Implementing Agency Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE) Address: Isrupaya, Sri Jayawardhanapura Kotte Battaramulla, Colombo, Sri Lanka Contact Name: Mr. M. A. Ariyadasa Project Coordinator, MEHE Phone: (94-1) 865803 Fax: (94-1) 865803 or 865182 Date Prepared June, 26 1996 Projected Board Date July 1997 1. Project Objectives: The aim of the proposed project is to improve the quality and efficiency of the education system at all level while maintaining both affordability of primary and secondary education. In specific, it would: (i) improve the quality of education by standardizing the structure of primary and secondary education system throughout the country by increasing equitable access and availability of suitable facilities, equipment and education materials; (ii) standardize management procedures and upgrade the principals and administrators at all the levels of the system in these skills; (iii) develop a unit cost financing of education to increase equity, rationalize expenditures and increase the sustainabilitiy of education programs; and (iv) for all the above develop appropriate policies to facilitate management of the system through appropriate studies, analysis and monitoring activities. 2. Project Description: Specific project support is likely to include: the supply of priority classrooms science laboratories, multi- purpose rooms, libraries and educational facilities. To standardize the structure of primary and secondary education based on the school mapping exercise. These facilities would be furnished and equipped based on civil works, curriculum and pedagogical norms; updating of the content, curriculum links of textbooks and improvement of the book development, production, and distribution with the participation of the private sector, based on the book development study. Also, it would strengthen the supply and quality of library books and educational resources needed to effectively teach the curriculum (based on policies updated during project preparation). strengthening of the education management through the rationalization of services between the center and the provinces and upgrading the management skills of staff at all levels (based  on updated managerial policies); strengthening of the education sector financing mechanisms by implementing a unit cost financial mechanism that would increase the responsiveness of education programs;( based on a unit cost policy being developed and to be piloted); assess merit of the higher education programs to make it more responsive to labor needs and to assist with the strengthening of curriculum, management and financing of post-secondary education programs; and fellowships and studies to complement the above identified priorities. 3. Project Implementation: The lead agency will be the MEHE in close cooperation with the provincial Ministries of Education and the Ministry of Finance and Planning and the National Steering Committee established for the first General Education Project. Implementation will be shared by the national and provincial Ministries of Education. There will be a need to ensure sufficient national and international technical assistance for procurement and management activities. The ongoing project has demonstrated MEHE's capacity to implement nationally based and large projects in the sector. The project will implement new policies which rationalize the school structure, supply of educational material policies and address management and financial policies. 4. Project Costs: At this preliminary stage the project costs are estimated at about US$50.0 million. Discussions have being initiated to attract other bilateral and multi-lateral participation in the project. Costs estimates and donor participation is expected to be determined during the October/November 1996 pre-appraisal mission. 5. Environmental Aspects: The project is classified under the C Category. The project through the inclusion of curriculum support for environmental studies is expected to increase environmental knowledge in the country. 6. Processing Schedule: The processing schedule is: preparation, July/August 1996; pre-appraisal, October/November 1996; appraisal, February 1997; negotiations, about May 1997; and Board presentation, July 1997. International consultants will be recruited between August 1996 and February 1997. 7. Contact Point: Public Information Center The World Bank 1818 H Street N.W. Washington D.C. , 20433 Telephone No. (202) 458-5454 Fax No. (202) 522-1500 Task Managers: A. Aime and M. Allak, SAlPH at 458-24 and 458-2019 Note: This is information on an evolving project. Certain components may not necessarily be included in the final project. - 2 -  Processed by the Public Information Center week ending July 19, 1996. - 3 -