Announcement of Four Million Credit for Technical and Vocational Training in Lesotho on July 15, 1974

• INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION 1818 H STREET. N.W., WASHINGTON D. C. 20433 TELEPHONE: EXECUTIVE 3-6360 IDA Press Release No. 74/47 Subject: $4.0 million credit for technical July 15, 1974 and vocational training in Lesotho Lesotho's long-term educational strategy will be assisted by a credit of $4.0 million from the International Development Association (IDA), an affiliate of the World Bank. The $8 million education project is designed to expand and improve vocational, technical and commercial education. It will also integrate into one coordinated program a number of smaller projects within the Government's education plan. • Several programs are already aimed at rural educat.ion but there remains a need for adult training in practical subjects. Also Lesotho's educational system is relatively weak in vocational training. Under the project the Lerotholi Technical Institute will be expanded to ac- commodate 360 students, and a new Institute of Business and Administration will be established with an enrollment of 200. The pttoj ect will also enable some 4,000 adults to obtain continued education through the creation of a National Extension College. In addition facilities will be provided at six existing secondary schools for the teaching of practical subjects and for a thousand new secondary school places. Technical assistance provided under the terms of the project includes 25 specialists and 48 fellowships for staff development, pre- paration of a rural development scheme and project implementation. The credit is being made to the Kingdom of Lesotho for 50 years including • 10 years of grace. It is interest-free except for a charge of 3/4 of 1% to cover IDA's administrative expenses. Note: - 0 - Money figures are expressed in US dollar equivalents.  July 1S, 1974 PROJECT: TECHNICAL DATA Education • OOUNTRY: Kingdom of Lesotho TOTAL COST: $8 .14 million IDA FINANCING: $4. 0 million for 50 years including 10 years of grace, interest free except for a service charge of 3/4 of 1.% to cover IDA's administrative expenses. OTHER FINANCING: Government, $1.03 million, other bilateral donor agencies, $3. 11 million IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATION: A new project Unit is to be established within the Ministry of Education, P.O. Box 47, Maseru, Lesotho PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project will assist the expansion and improvement of vocational, technical and commercial education. It includes the construction or the improvement of: the existing Lerotholi Technical Institute to permit expansion from the present enrol1ment of 120 to 360; the new Lesotho Institute of Business and Administration to provide places for 200 students; the new Lesotho National Extension College for the non-formal education of 4,000 to 5,000 adults a year; six existing • secondary schools to provide satellite regional centers for the College and 1000 student places; and technical assistance. PROCUREMENT: Civil works, furniture and equipment, in accordance with the Association's guidelines. International competitive bidding by pre-qualified contractors for construction contracts, with a preferential margin of 7-1/2% for domestic civil works contractors. CONSULTANTS: Architechtural consultants will be retained by the Project Unit; Education Specialists will be provided under technical assistance arrangements with bilateral agencies. ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: 1978 •