WORLD BANK CONTINUES SUPPORT TO EDUCATION QUALITY AND RELEVANCE IN ARMENIA

ENP Newswire
May 13, 2009 Wednesday

WASHINGTON – The World Bank Board of Directors today approved a US$ 25
million credit for the Armenia Second Education Quality and Relevance
Project (APL II).

The credit by the International Development Association (IDA) will
assist Armenia in its efforts to improve the quality and relevance
of its educational system, to ensure that students graduate with
competitive skills. This is the second phase of the second education
project supported by the World Bank over the past 12 years in Armenia.

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.

Past projects have accomplished a great deal. The National Curriculum
Framework has been developed, a transparent examination system and
enhanced capacity to assess student performance has been introduced,
along with the creation of the Assessment and Testing Center, the
National Center of Education Technology, and an effective Computer
Revolving scheme which has allowed 85 percent of the schools in the
country to set up computer labs. In addition, a massive in-service
teacher training effort has been carried out through an improved
National Institute of Education and consolidation of a successful
per capita funding system resulted in substantial efficiency gains
and enhanced school autonomy.

‘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 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:

1. Enhancing the Quality of General Education. Activities 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.

2. Supporting tertiary education reforms to help achieve standards
similar to education systems in Europe. The project will establish
and strengthen the capacity of the National Quality Assurance system
for tertiary education. An integrated Tertiary Education Management
Information System (TEMIS) 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.

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.

For more information on World Bank-sponsored projects in Armenia,

please visit:

Contacts:

In Yerevan: Tatevik Mnatsakanyan, (+374 10) 520-992

tmnatsakanyna@worldbank.org

In Washington: Vigen Sargsyan, (202) 473-9277

vsargsyan@worldbank.org

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