WB TO PROVIDE ARMENIA USD 25 MILLION TO DEVELOP EDUCATION SPHERE

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
13.05.2009 18:54 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The World Bank Board of Directors today approved
a US$25 million credit for the Armenia Second Education Quality and
Relevance Project, WB press office in Armenia reports.

This is the second phase of the second education project supported
by the World Bank over the past 12 years in Armenia.

"This new project builds on the achievements of Armenia’s reforms so
far, while extending the agenda to encompass preschool and higher
education," said Juan Manuel Moreno, Leader of the World Bank team
for the project. "It will comprehensively support the Government’s
efforts to accelerate the implementation of preschool, general and
tertiary education reforms despite the adverse consequences of the
global economic crisis," the expert.

As WB press-office reported, the project will enhance the curriculum
and teaching methods in education, the readiness of children entering
primary schools, and the integration of the Armenian tertiary education
system into the European higher education area.

According to press office, the project will help the Armenian education
system meet critical challenges. These include reversing the current
deterioration – in enrollments and in quality – of preschool education;
supporting the implementation of the 12-year general education system;
improving teacher quality through pre-service and in-service training;
and, contributing to Armenia’s integration in the European Higher
Education Area.

The Second Education Quality and Relevance project has two main
components. The first component of "Enhancing the Quality of General
Education" will aim to increase the readiness for general education
of approximately 8,750 children, while 140 of the poorest communities
will benefit from targeted grants to enhance the quality of preschool
education. The quality of teaching will be improved through training
of 2750 high-school teachers and 150 principals, and by creating a
school improvement network. In addition, investments will ensure that
all schools in Armenia are equipped with up-to-date technologies, that
about 400 of the most remote schools are connected to the Internet,
and that these technologies effectively enhance learning. Further, the
curriculum and assessment of the 12-year general education system will
be improved so that future graduates will be equipped with relevant
and competitive knowledge and skills.

The other component "Supporting tertiary education reforms to
help achieve standards similar to education systems in Europe"
will establish and strengthen the capacity of the National Quality
Assurance system for tertiary education. An integrated Tertiary
Education Management Information System will be created to support
policy planning, management, monitoring and evaluation of performance
of education. The component will also support the design and piloting
of a sustainable financing system for tertiary education, including
student loans and a Competitive Innovation Fund for the financing
of Universities.

Within the past projects WB developed the National Curriculum
Framework, introduced a new examination system, a Computer Revolving
scheme of WB allowed 85 percent of country’s to set up computer
labs. In addition, a broad in-service teacher trainings have been
carried out and consolidation of a per capita funding system of
schools.

The Credit will be provided to Armenia on standard IDA terms,
including 20 years maturity and a 10-year grace period. Since joining
the World Bank in 1992 and IDA in 1993, commitments to Armenia total
approximately US$1187 million.