Oman - Third Education Project

 Third education project Report No: ; Type: Report/Evaluation Memorandum ; Country: Oman; Region: Middle East And North Africa; Sector: Other Education; Major Sector: Education; ProjectID: P005542 Oman: Education III (Loan 2799-OMA) The Oman Education III project supported by Loan 2799-OMA for US$13.8 million was approved in FY87. The Loan was closed as scheduled on December 31, 1994, and the balance of US$0.8 million was canceled. The Implementation Completion Report (ICR) was prepared by the Middle East and North Africa Regional Office and provides a clear and comprehensive account of the implementation of the project. The borrower's full report on the implementation and achievements of the project is included as Annex 3. The project was designed to help meet the government's education priorities, including development of a formal education system, improving the quality of existing education programs, and establishing effective monitoring and review procedures. Specific objectives of the project were to (a) develop management, planning, and curricula in the Ministry of Education (MOE); (b) train and upgrade teachers; and (c) increase access to education, particularly for girls and children of the rural poor. To carry out these objectives, the project provided: (a) construction, equipment, and furniture for three teacher training colleges, five secondary schools, and 30 primary schools; (b) specialist services and fellowship training for institutional development of personnel in the MOE in planning, instructional supervision, curriculum development, and educational technology. The project was well implemented by the borrower, and the hardware component was completed three years ahead of schedule. Costs were significantly below appraisal estimates due to efficient bulk procurement. Women particularly benefited; 63 percent of the students in project-supported schools were female. On the other hand, technical assistance, which was subcontracted to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, was underutilized and delayed, in part due to a limited local capacity to utilize international experts effectively. Significant technical assistance was finally provided only on educational television productions. In accordance with the ICR, the Operations Evaluation Department (OED) rates institutional development as substantial, and sustainability as likely, given the government's commitment to the education of women and the rural poor. However, OED rates project outcome and Bank performance as satisfactory, rather than highly satisfactory, because technical assistance was not carried out to the extent planned. The project highlights the need for technical assistance to match local capacity. The value added can be significant only if borrowers find it worthwhile and are willing to borrow for it. Overall, the ICR is satisfactory. No audit is planned.