Announcement of IDA to Support a Fourth Education Project in Somalia on March 5, 1981

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE , ' . - eWorldBank 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 2043.3, U.S.A.• Telephone: (202) 477-1234 IDA NEWS RELEASE NO. 81/48 March 5, 1981 IDA TO SUPPORT A FOURTH EDUCATION PROJECT IN SOMALIA The International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank's affiliate for concessionary lending, has approved a credit of SOR 8 million ($10.2 million) for an education project in Somalia. This will be the fourth education project assisted by IDA in t11e country. The project, which covers a five-year program (1981-86), is designed to im- prove the quality and efficiency of teaching in primary Jnd secondary schools. Facilities for pre-service and in-service training of teachers will be upgraded and more equitable opportunities for secondary education will be provided to those rural areas which are devoid of secondary schools. Five resource centers to be • established at Baidoa, Burao, Qoryolei, Dusa Mareb, and Kismayo are expected to improve the teaching ability of teachers in elementary science and in the use of teaching aids. The Lafole College of Education, the country's secondary teacher training college, will also be strengthened to provide improved teacher training, particularly in science teaching and student practice teaching. Four new secondary schools will be built in rural areas that have no such facilities at present, and another 10 existing seconrlary schools will be improved. To relieve the acute shortage of managers, accountants, office workers, and related skilled personnel in the country, the project v-1i 11 help to improve the training capacity of the Somali Institute of Development Administration and Manage- ment. In addition, pre-investment and evaluation studies will be carried out in technical/vocational and management/commercial skills for long-term planning. In- cluded is a study to assist the government to develop a more efficient civil service system. Technical assistance will be provided under the project to help carry out these studies. The three previous education projects assisted by IDA, with credits totaling $19.3 mill ion,were designed to improve and expand primary, secondary, and technical education as well as promote basic education and reduce illiteracy. The IDA credit to Somalia for this project is for 50 years, including 10 years of grace. It carries no interest but will bear a 3/4 of 1% a year service charge to cover IDA's administrative expenses . • NOTE: IDA credits are denominated in SDRs (Special Drawing Rights), which are valued on the basis of a "basket" of currencies. The U.S. dollar equiv- alent of the SDR amount of the IDA credit reflects the exchange rates existing at the time of negotiation of the credit. FORM NO. 1121 (5-76) T E C HN I CA L DAT A PROJECT: COUNTRY: TOTAL COST: Fourth Education Soma 1 i a $1 2 . 7 mi 11 ion • IDA FINANCING: $10.2 million, standard IDA terms OTHER FINANCING: Government of Somalia, $2.5 million IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATION: Project Implementation and School Design Units Ministry of Education P• 0 • Box 11 41+ Mogadishu, Somalia PROJECT DESCRIPTION: It will include: (1) improvements, extensions, equipping, and furnishing of: (a) five existing secondary schools for in- service primary teacher training; (b) one existing secondary teacher training college, the Lafole College of Education; and (c) 10 existing general secondary schools; (2) construction, furnishing, and equipping of four new general secondary schools; (3) eq·· - ping the Somali Institute of Development Administration and Management (SIDAM), and im provement of teaching and administrative education at SIDAM by the provision of experienced teachers and commercial administrative educators; and (4) a survey of the Lafole College of Education on: (a) administration; (b) organization of maintenance; and (c) cater- ing services for boarding students; and pre-investment and evaluation studies on tech- nical, vocational, management, and commercial education, as wel 1 as a study of the civi 1 service with the assistance of consultants. PROCURE'MENT: Contracts for civil works, construction materials, furniture, equipment, and vehicles (about $8 million, including contin- gencies) wi 11 be awarded on the basis of international competitive bidding in accordance with the World Bank/lDA guidelines for procurement, except for: (a) civil works contracts estimated to cost less than $250,000 each; (b) furniture, equipment, vehicl.es, and construction material contracts less than $50,000 each; and (c) local transportation services for furniture and equipment. These (a), (b), and (c), estimated to total $1.2 million, will be awarded on the basis of competitive biddin~ advertised locally in accord- ance with local procedures acceptable to IDA. CONSULTANTS: The following consultant and technical assistance services will be required for the project: 2 man-years of technical assis- tance for the Lafole College of Education survey study; 20 man-years of specialist services to SIDAM to provide exp2rienced teachers and commercial/administrative educators; 43 man- montt1s for pre-investment, evaluation, and civi 1 service employment studies; and 42 man- months for a civi 1 engineer for project administration. Technical assistance specialists • wi 11 be selected in consultation with and on terms and conditions satisfactory to IDA • ECONOMIC RATE OF RETURN: n.a. ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: 1987 - 0 -