Morocco - Rural Basic Education Development Project

 ICRR 10397 Report Number : ICRR10397 ICR Review Operations Evaluation Department 1. Project Data : OEDID : OEDID: L3295 Project ID : P005460 Project Name : Rural Basic Education Development Project Country : Morocco Sector : Primary Education L/C Number : 3295-MOR Partners involved : Prepared by : Helen Abadzi, OEDST Reviewed by : Helen Abadzi Group Manager : Gregory K. Ingram Date Posted : 06/30/1999 2. Project Objectives, Financing, Costs and Components : (a) To promote equality of educational opportunity at the middle school level by improving access and participation; and (b) to enhance the teaching-learning environment by contributing to the improvement of basic education quality, nationwide. To achieve these objectives, the project would finance : (a) the construction, equipping and furnishing of about 208-240 middle schools in rural areas, each accommodating some 360 students in a cluster of 9 classrooms; (b) the rehabilitation and partial reequipment of about 100 dilapidated middle schools; (c) canteen and boarding scholarships, which would be provided on an equal basis for boys and girls; (d) free educational materials and textbooks for all participating schools, to be, (e) vehicles for inspectors and a program to strengthen curriculum development; (f) the introduction of a national educational achievement assessment program; (g) a study to measure the impact of factors affecting middle school participation in rural areas; and (h) a comprehensive in-service teacher training program. The project loan was gradually reduced from US$ 145 million to $US$55 million; the project closed on June 30, 1998 after a one-year extension. 3. Achievement of Relevant Objectives : Project objectives were not achieved . Of the 208 schools, only 78 were put into service before the loan closed . Though rural lower secondary enrollment figures increased, nearly reaching targets, the project made a modest contribution to this trend. Girls' enrollments increased very modestly from 23% to 28%, and only 17.5% of scholarships were awarded to them . Teachers were trained, but not on important rural education problems . Studies were only partially carried out. A national assessment was not implemented . Textbooks were not delivered . 4. Significant Achievements : The main achievement of the project was buildings, although only one -third of them were built during the project period. Even so, the rural secondary schools were often built in less accessible, cheaper land, causing students commiting difficulties. A beneficiary assessment showed that eventually the schools will be filled with students, and there will be long-term enrollment growth in rural areas. 5. Significant Shortcomings : The project was initially too large, and unit costs were overestimated . Important targets, such as girls' enrollments, were not quantified. Subsequently, the government showed little commitment to the work, partly due to financial difficulties, and tried to limit its scope . Work proceeded very slowly, technical assistance was cancelled . Bank supervised the project desultorily and appointed six task managers during implementation . 6. Ratings : ICR OED Review Reason for Disagreement /Comments Outcome : Unsatisfactory Unsatisfactory Institutional Dev .: Negligible Negligible Sustainability : Likely Uncertain A beneficiary assessment at the end of the project showed that rural schools will eventually be filled with students; the few  activities that have been satisfactorily completed may be sustained. Bank Performance : Deficient Unsatisfactory Borrower Perf .: Deficient Unsatisfactory Quality of ICR : Satisfactory 7. Lessons of Broad Applicability : Support from senior government officials throughout the project is critical to success . Choice of school sites is critical to enabling students to attend and to raise enrollments . The resources of a building program cannot compensate for the lack of activities designed to improve the quality of education. Centralized administrative systems must adapt to take advantage of communities' willingness to improve access to education 8. Audit Recommended? Yes No 9. Comments on Quality of ICR : The ICR was satisfactory.