World Bank Africa Updates <[log in to unmask]> wrote:  
The Gambia Receives US$8 million for the Development of the Education 
Sector

WASHINGTON, June 1, 2006 - The World Bank Board of Executive Directors 
today
approved an International Development Association (IDA) grant of US$8 
million
to assist the Government of The Gambia in providing equitable access to 
high
quality education.

The Third Education Sector project, Phase 2 aims to improve conditions 
for
teaching and learning in basic education through: (i) improving 
performance of
students, teachers and schools, (ii) strengthening capacity building 
and
performance management, and enhancing monitoring and evaluation, and 
(iii)
expanding access to underserved communities.

It will support the Government¡¯s Education Policy, which aims to 
provide
equitable access to education, from early childhood to tertiary 
education
including adult and non formal education, and focus on improving 
learning
outcomes at all levels.

"In Gambia, primary school completion is now at 62 percent and is 
expected to
increase to 80 percent by 2010, and to 100 percent by 2015. The project 
will
focus the greatest attention on improving the quality of instruction 
offered in
schools even as the number of students enrolled continues to increase 
to the
desired levels, and will help ensure that girls have equal access to 
education
and perform at the same level as boys, across the entire system." said 
Ms.
Meskerem Mulatu, the World Bank Task Team Leader of the project.

The Third Education Sector project will, inter alia, help increase 
access to
training for all teachers, focusing on improved classroom instruction, 
and will
help improve the availability of adequate teaching/learning materials, 
and of
school-level pedagogic support for teachers. Head-teachers and 
pedagogic
leaders will receive regular face-to-face and/or distance learning 
training,
along with support from peer networks and from model head-teachers. The
project will also support the payment of school fees and textbook and
examination costs for girls in upper basic and senior secondary schools 
through
the Scholarship Trust Fund for Girls, a scheme tested during Phase 1 
that has
since been extended throughout the system. The project is expected to 
support
the construction and/or rehabilitation, furnishing and equipping of 36 
urban
classrooms and 16 multigrade classrooms, and about 6,000 learners will 
benefit
from literacy training and post-literacy support.
Finally, the project will help ensure adequate capacity building 
opportunities
exist so that the system can be managed and monitored effectively, 
thereby
attaining its ambitious goals.

The project responds to the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) 
pillar on
enhanced equity and quality of service delivery, and contributes to two 
other
pillars that aim to improve public expenditure management, and promote 
private
sector-led growth.

###

For more information on the World Bank¡¯s work in sub-Saharan Africa 
visit:
http://www.worldbank.org/afr

For more information about World Bank¡¯s activities in Gambia visit:
http://www.worldbank.org/gambia 

For more information about the project, please visit:
http://web.worldbank.org/external/projects/main? 


		
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