Announcement of Second Education Project in Central African Republic to be Assisted by IDA on May 12, 1983

f OR IMMEDIATE, REL.EASE ' . •World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, o'.c 20433, U.S.A.• Telephone: (202) 477-1234 IDA NEWS RELEASE NO. 83/75 Contact: P!~ Brennan May 12, 1983-' ( 2012) 47 7-3293 i SECOND EDUCATION PROJECT IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC TO BE ASSISTED B;Y IDA A credit of SDR 10.1 Ilillion ($11 ·million) from the International Development Association (IDA) will help to improve the educat-Jon infrastructure in the Central African Republic. In additionto upgrading the quality of education in rural areas, the project being assisted by IDA will develop key institutions in education planning and financing, as well as in project implementation and evaluation. As an initial step, a permanent agency, the Department of Construction, Repair and Maintenance of School Buildings (DCEBS), would be set up. Over the next few years,, the agency expects to rehabilitate about 300 classrooms in 120 primary shoals, accommodating about 250,000 pupils. In addition, about 100 houses will be constructed for school principals to help attract experienced and qualified pe:rsonnel to rural areas. Instructional • materials w.ill be distributed to over 50,000 primary school pupils and 800 teachers, about 20% of the national totals • In addition, th,~ Ministry of Natj_ona· Education will be provided with technical assistance1 to strengthen education planning, in particular to maximize the use of scan~e resources. An important side effect of the project will be that local buil4ers, manufacturers of school furniture, and transport firms will benefit from,.new employment opportunities. The first education p'toject in the Central African Republic benefitted from an IDA credit of $3.9 million approved in 1972 and f\:.om a $0.9 million supplementary credit approved in 1980. Two advances from the World Banks Project Preparation Facility, totaling $800,000, were approved to finance detailed preparation actiyit!~s for the second project. The Central African Republic will provide $1.2 million toward project coo ts. The IDA credit is for 50 years, including 10 years of grace; it carries no interest but has a small annual service charge (0.5% on the undisbursed balances of the credit and 0.75% on the disbursed balances). 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 • equivalent of the SDR amount of the IDA credit reflects the exchange rates existing at the time of the negotiation of the credit.