Mexico - Primary Education Project

 ICRR 10056 Report Number : ICRR10056 ICR Review Operations Evaluation Department 1. Project Data : OEDID: OEDID : L3407 Project ID : P007690 Project Name : Primary Education Project Country : Mexico Sector : Primary Education L/C Number : L3407-ME Partners involved : Prepared by : Helen abadzi, OEDST Reviewed by : Group Manager : Roger Slade Date Posted : 06/04/1998 2. Project Objectives, Financing, Costs and Components : The loan was for US$250 million equivalent, of which a total of US$ 58.8 million were canceled at completion and as a result of devaluation. Equity, quality, and efficiency of primary education, were to be improved at four states with the highest incidence of poverty through : (a) reducing the repetition and dropout rates, (b) raising the level of children's cognitive achievement, and (c) strengthening management of the primary education system . The Bank financed educational services and instructional strengthening to provide work incentives to teachers, improve supervision, strengthen management, monitor and conduct studies . 3. Achievement of Relevant Objectives : Considerable progress was made in achieving the project's expansive objectives . All physical targets of service coverage, distribution of materials, textbooks and libraries, were met . As a result, there was a slight reduction in dropout rates in three of the four targeted states, and in all four states the number of students completing primary school increased. 4. Significant Achievements : The project trained 270,000 teachers. Textbooks and teacher guides in eight indigenous languages were developed, and large numbers were distributed . Promotional materials and special training helped teachers use the materials in class. Innovative training programs were developed, such as video programs for distance learning in rural and indigenous schools. Teachers received monetary incentives to work in remote schools . 5. Significant Shortcomings : Information systems were not modernized, as expected, and the monitoring studies envisaged were carried out . Though expensive, they were not designed well enough to give definitive answers . Consultant selection for technical assistance was slow . Stricter control and quicker decisions could have resulted in greater economies in construction. 6. Ratings : ICR OED Review Reason for Disagreement /Comments Outcome : Satisfactory Satisfactory Institutional Dev .: Partial Modest Sustainability : Likely Likely Bank Performance : Satisfactory Satisfactory Borrower Perf .: Satisfactory Satisfactory Quality of ICR : Satisfactory 7. Lessons of Broad Applicability : To improve the quality of primary education in poor communities, projects must focus on development of appropriate instructional methods and teacher training . Parents must be incorporated in school activities, and school management must be decentralized to regional offices near these schools . Though highly desirable, monitoring activities often cost more than is considered acceptable and, unless very carefully designed, may not yield clear and unassailable results. 8. Audit Recommended? Yes No Why? Several innovative methods were used, which deserve further assessment 9. Comments on Quality of ICR : It covers important issues satisfactorily