Announcement of Paraguay Receives Twelve Million Dollars for Rural Education on December 9, 1976

•World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A. • Telephone: (202) 393-,6360 BANK NEWS RELEASE NO. 77/38 December 9, 1976 · IDA NEWS RELEASE NO. 77/16 PARAGUAY RECEIVES $12.0 MILLION FOR RURAL EDUCATION The World Bank and its affiliate, the International Development Association (IDA), are lending $12.0 million to Paraguay, for a project that will extend and improve·educatfonal opportu~ities in rural areas of the country. The project, which will have a total cost of $17.38 million, will assist the government in the implementation of its education programs and policies through the establishment of community learning centers and primary schools. The Bank will give a $8u0 million loan for a term of 17 years, including 3! • years of grace at 8.7 interest per annum. IDA will finance a $4.0 million credit in its standard terms of 50 years, with a 10-year initial grace period and no interest charge. The project includes the establishment of 83 rural community learning centers; completion of construction of 77 primary schools; buildings and equipment for workshops and laboratories for five lower secondary schools; in-service training for about 2,700 teachers, <~rectors and supervisors; printing of about 300,000 textbooks; and technical assistance. It is expected that about 46,000 children, or 20% of the rural 7-12 age group, will benefit from the provision of rural community learning centers and associated rural primary schools. About 2,000 rural teachers equivalent to 90% of the total of the unqualified teachers, will receive upgrading courses. In addition, about 8,000 secondary school students (10% of national enro'llment) and 250 directors, teachers and supervisors will also benefit from this project. • NOTE: Money figures are expressed in US dollar equivalents •  • FORM NO. 1121 (5-76) T ECHN I CAL D A T A PROJECT: Third Education COUNTRY: Paraguay TOTAL COST: $ l 7. 38 mi l 1 i on BANK FINANCING: $800 million, for a term of 17 years, including 3iyears of grace at 8.7 interest per annum~ IDA FINANCING: $4o0 million, standard IDA termsa OTHER FINANCING: Government of caraguay IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATION: Oficina de Proyecto, Ministerio de Educacion y Culto, Piribebuy 270, Asuncion, Paraguay PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project consists of: a) the establishment of 83 rural community learning centers for about 30,000 school-age • and 20,000 out-of-school youths and adults; b) construction of 77 primary schools for 18,000 students; c) buildings and equipment for laboratories in five lower secondary shcools; d) expansion of two existing secondary schools; e) training for about 2,700 teachers, directors and supervisors; f) print materials for textbooks; g) technical assistance for educational administration; h) help the Ministry of Education complete an educational facilities survey and a school map; i) assistance to carry out a study on bilingual education; and j) technical assistance for training abroad. PROCUREMENT: Contract for civil works would be awarded on the basis of competitive bidding advertised locally and in accordance with local procedures. Contracts for furniture and equipment will be awarded on the basis of international competitive bidding. However, items that cannot be grouped in packages of at least $50,000 or more would be procured on the basis of local procedures. Procurement under these procedures would not in aggregate exceed 15% of the total cost of furniture and equipment, or about $400,000. Domestic manufacturers tendering under international competitive bidc:ng procedures would be allowed a preferential margin equal to the pre- vailing tariff or 15% of the c.i.f., cost ot competitive imports, whichever is lowero CONSULTANTS: Short term consultants have been included under the technical assistance component of the projecto In addition, consultant firms would be contracted for specialized design components (electrical and water supply systems)o EST IMATED COMP LET I ON DATE: 1981 • - 0 -