Announcement of Twenty-Five Million US Loan for Education in Morocco on March 11, 1976

• World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A. • Telephone: {202) 393-6360 BANK NEWS RELEASE NO. 76/21 March 11 1 19 76 $25 MILLION LOAN FOR EDUCATION IN MOROCCO Morocco's efforts for development and its growing demand for trained manpower will be assisted by a World Bank loan of $25 million for an education project. The $59.54 million project is designed to expand and improve general education in rural areas and specialized training to meet the urgent manpower needs in agriculture, health and tourism. It will also provide technical as- sistance for the preparation of a national program for technical education and vocational training for industry and commerce. • This is the third Bank Group operation in Morocco's education field following up the first and second projects approved in 1965 and 1971 respec- tively. The two projects which received a total of $19.5 million through the International Development Association (IDA) supported the construction and equipment of 18 secondary schools and 8 secondary teacher training institutions; in addition to education research, upgrading of scientific and technical educa- tion, and vocational and agricultural training. The project, when completed in 1981, will enhance Morocco's comprehensive strategy for rural education. It will also help alleviate manpower shortages in critical sectors thus opening the way to the implementation of the country's economic and social objectives. The Bank 11 Th i rd Window" 1oan to Morocco is for 25 years, inc 1ud i ng seven year$ of grace. It will carry interest at 4-1/2 percent per annum. An additional 4 percent will be paid to the Bank by the Interest Subsidy Fund, representing the difference between the Bank's standjrd interest rate and the charge to Morocco . • Note: Money figures are expressed in U.S. dollar equivalents. Form No. 1121 · (9-75) PROJECT: T E CHNI CAL Third Education DAT A • COUNTRY: Kingdom of Morocco TOTAL COST: $59.54 million BANK FINANCING: $25 million, for 25 years, including 7 years of grace, at 4-1/2 percent interest per annum OTHER FINANCING: Kingdom of Morocco, $34.54 million IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATION: The Education Project Unit for all project items per- taining to the Ministry of Education and support of technical services of the Health, Tourism and Agriculture Ministries; all in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project consists of design, construction and equipping of • 47 primary schools, 5 secondary schools, 1 secondary teacher training college, 1 hotel training school, 4 hotel training centers, 1 rural development and extension training center, l college of public health, I medical technicians school and 3 health training centers~ detailed preparation and design for 5 technical colleges, l applied engineering institute, l technical teacher training college and demonstration school; equipment for a data processing unit; tech- nical assistance to operate this unit~ prepare a national program for technical education and vocational training, develop curricula and train trainers and fellowships for computer techniques and mass media development training. PROCUREMENT: International compet)tive bidding for civil works equipment and furniture in accordance with Bank's Guidelines for Pro- curement; 15 percent preference for local suppliers of furniture and equipment. Detailed lists of equipment and furniture identifying all items or cate- gories of items costing more than $10,000 will be presented for Bank's review and approval prior to procurement. Residual items included in miscellaneous category not exceeding $100,000 for each institution. Nearly all equipment and 50 percent of fur- niture expected to be obtained from foreign manufacturers. CONSULTANTS: Services of local architectural firms employing both local and foreign architects. ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE:1981 -0- •