The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care (P157117) Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care (P157117) EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA | Serbia | Education Global Practice | IBRD/IDA | Investment Project Financing | FY 2017 | Seq No: 10 | ARCHIVED on 21-Dec-2021 | ISR49441 | Implementing Agencies: Ministry of Finance, Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development Key Dates Key Project Dates Bank Approval Date: 21-Feb-2017 Effectiveness Date: 13-Feb-2018 Planned Mid Term Review Date: 18-Jan-2021 Actual Mid-Term Review Date: 22-Feb-2021 Original Closing Date: 30-Dec-2022 Revised Closing Date: 30-Dec-2022 pdoTable Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The PDO is to improve access to quality Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services, in particular for children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No Components Table Name Expanding the supply of preschool spaces:(Cost $36.75 M) Strengthening the quality of preschool services:(Cost $5.95 M) Supporting young children and families:(Cost $5.30 M) Project management, technical assistance, and monitoring and evaluation:(Cost $2.00 M) Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating Moderate Moderate Implementation Status and Key Decisions During the reporting period, progress has been made under all three components of the project. Under Component 1, all three pilot infrastructure projects have been completed on time and within budget. Construction is underway for six new kindergartens based on results from the pilots, and bidding processes are underway or starting shortly for another four. Moreover, 88 new playrooms have been made available for early learning programs to children in rural areas of the country. Under Component 2, implementation of the new Preschool Curriculum Framework has started in about 65 percent of the public preschool institutions in the country, and training and mentoring support for preschool staff are ongoing. The new methodology for quality assurance in preschool education along with the related instruments has been adopted. Under Component 3, the communication campaign including short videos aimed at parents and caregivers to support the holistic development of their children is ongoing, delivered via different channels (TV, radio, social media). In addition, under the Grant Scheme Program, 34 Local Self-Governments have been 12/21/2021 Page 1 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care (P157117) awarded grants to improve coordination and cooperation among relevant actors at the local level in providing holistic and high-quality early childhood education and care services to parents and caregivers, and children aged 0 to 6.5 years old, with a focus on the most vulnerable. Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Political and Governance Moderate Moderate Moderate Macroeconomic Substantial Moderate Moderate Sector Strategies and Policies Low Low Low Technical Design of Project or Program Moderate Moderate Moderate Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Moderate Moderate Moderate Sustainability Fiduciary Substantial Moderate Moderate Environment and Social Moderate Moderate Moderate Stakeholders Moderate Moderate Moderate Other -- Moderate Moderate Overall Moderate Moderate Moderate Results PDO Indicators by Objectives / Outcomes Expanding the supply of preschools spaces IN01075802 ►National preschool enrollment rates for children ages 3 and 5.5 years (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 52.00 63.90 62.60 62.00 Date 07-Nov-2016 26-May-2021 03-Dec-2021 29-Jul-2022 The intermediate target value for the implementation year 4 is 60 percent. The indicator is on track, however, the current value is slightly lower than the previous one due to the restrictions in the protocol enforced to protect the spreading of the COVID -19 in kindergartens. The target for the "National Comments: preschool enrollment rates for children ages 3 and 5.5 years within the eligible municipalities" sub- indicator is exceeded due to the 88 new playrooms and 3 new kindergartens in the eligible municipalities resulting from project interventions. IN01075805 12/21/2021 Page 2 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care (P157117) National preschool enrollment rates for children ages 3 and 5.5 years within the eligible municipalities (Percentage, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 19.00 28.60 49.00 25.00 Date 07-Nov-2016 26-May-2021 03-Dec-2021 29-Jul-2022 Strengthening the quality of preschool services IN01075803 ►Preschools that undergo external evaluation and rank 4 (on a scale of 1 to 4) (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 44.00 44.00 44.00 55.00 Date 03-Jun-2020 26-May-2021 03-Dec-2021 29-Jul-2022 This activitiy is on track. Comments: Supporting young children and families IN01075804 ►Children ages 12 to 59 months in the lowest quintile with whom an adult has engaged in early stimulation activities at home (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 85.00 92.80 92.80 92.00 Date 07-Nov-2016 26-May-2021 03-Dec-2021 29-Jul-2022 The source for this data is the UNICEF MICS survey. The baseline value is taken from MICS 2014, while the actual (current) value is from the most recent MICS 2019. The methodology used has remained the same for both cycles of the survey which makes the data values comparable. The next MICS survey will be conducted after the end of the project (most likely in 2023/2024). The team will discuss possible Comments: options with UNICEF to gather data for Roma families in a separate survey close to the end of the project. In addition, the team has requested information from UNICEF to see if they have any explanation to suggest what may be the reason for the decrease in early stimulation among Roma families. IN01075831 Children ages 12 to 59 months from Roma families with whom an adult has engaged in early stimulation activities at home (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 68.00 55.33 55.33 75.00 Intermediate Results Indicators by Components Expanding the supply of preschool spaces IN01075832 12/21/2021 Page 3 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care (P157117) ►Preschool construction and rehabilitation projects preceded by a community stakeholder consultation (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 Date 07-Nov-2016 18-May-2021 03-Dec-2021 29-Jul-2022 The consultation summaries are being incorporated in the respective sub-project ESMP and are, therefore, disclosed as per provisions for Environmental and Social safeguard instruments. Furthermore, Comments: the summaries are being publically disseminated and consulted during public consultations for the ESMPs. IN01075838 Number of sub-projects with civil works for which consultation summaries are produced and disseminated (Number, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 11.00 12.00 20.00 IN01075839 ►Additional classrooms built or rehabilitated at the preschool level resulting from project interventions (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 10.00 98.00 779.00 Date 07-Nov-2016 18-May-2021 03-Dec-2021 29-Jul-2022 The end target will be modified based on the cost per meter square from the pilot infrastructure projects. Comments: IN01075843 Additional classrooms built at the preschool level resulting from project interventions (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 8.00 10.00 193.00 Date 07-Nov-2016 18-May-2021 03-Dec-2021 29-Jul-2022 IN01075844 Additional classrooms rehabilitated or re-purposed at the preschool level resulting from project interventions (Number, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 48.00 88.00 586.00 Date 07-Nov-2016 18-May-2021 03-Dec-2021 29-Jul-2022 IN01075845 ►Students benefiting from direct interventions to enhance learning (Number, Corporate) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 78,100.00 140,126.00 100,000.00 Date 15-Feb-2017 04-Jun-2021 03-Dec-2021 30-Dec-2022 12/21/2021 Page 4 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care (P157117) The target was exceeded due to the extension of the number of preschool institutions receiving training and support in the implementation of the new Preschool Curriculum Framework and 98 additional Comments: classrooms built or rehabilitated at the preschool level resulting from project interventions. IN01075846 Students benefiting from direct interventions to enhance learning - Female (Number, Corporate Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 37,488.00 67,261.00 50,000.00 Strengthening the quality of preschool services IN01075833 ►Additional qualified preschool teachers resulting from project interventions (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 5,000.00 9,400.00 12,000.00 Date 07-Nov-2016 18-May-2021 03-Dec-2021 29-Jul-2022 IN01075836 ►Pre-service training institutions that reformed their study programs based on the new preschool curriculum, and core competences required for preschool teachers (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 10.00 Date 07-Nov-2016 26-May-2021 03-Dec-2021 29-Jul-2022 The MoESTD has formed the Working Group and initiated the activities for improving the initial education of preschool and school teachers, the change of study programs, accreditation, and innovation Comments: criteria. The working group inter alia suggested revision/ reduction of the number of higher education institutions which may require modification of target values. This activity is on track. IN01075840 ►Primary school pedagogical staff trained in new preschool curriculum (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 650.00 1,300.00 Date 07-Nov-2016 26-May-2021 03-Dec-2021 29-Jul-2022 IN01075842 ►Preschools with self-evaluations completed using updated instrument. (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 50.00 Date 07-Nov-2016 26-May-2021 03-Dec-2021 29-Jul-2022 The quality standards for preschools were developed and adopted. The guide for self-evaluation based on the revised quality framework along with self-evaluation tools are developed and made available to Comments: preschool institutions. The training for implementation of the tools is planned for the first half of 2022. 12/21/2021 Page 5 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care (P157117) Supporting young children and families IN01075834 ►Communication campaign developed and rolled out (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target The communication The communication Campaign rolled out Value No campaign campaign was rolled out campaign was rolled nationally in October 2019. out in October 2019. Date 07-Nov-2016 18-May-2021 03-Dec-2021 29-Jul-2022 This target is achieved, though the campaing (divided in three themes: ‘Acceptance’, ‘Inclusions’ and ‘Enrollment’) wi parents, caregivers and families for the entire duration of the project. Comments: IN01075837 ►Grants awarded to eligible municipalities (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 34.00 34.00 30.00 Date 07-Nov-2016 18-May-2021 03-Dec-2021 29-Jul-2022 IN01075841 ►Male participants (among benefiting families) in grant activities (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 38.57 41.50 20.00 Date 07-Nov-2016 18-May-2021 03-Dec-2021 29-Jul-2022 Project management, technical assistance, and monitoring and evaluation IN01075835 ►Evaluation of first phase of grant program completed and lessons incorporated into the second phase of the program (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target 2nd round of the grant program incorporates lessons from the 2nd round of grant evaluation. The Grant program incorporates Value No report Audit report completed Operations Manual lessons from was updated and evaluation adopted. Date 07-Nov-2016 03-Jun-2021 03-Dec-2021 29-Jul-2022 Per the Loan Agreement, the Project Management Unit has undertaken an independent performance and Comments: operational audit for the first round of the Grant Scheme which was completed in January 2021. The 12/21/2021 Page 6 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care (P157117) report assessed the relevance and effectiveness of local projects as highly positive. The sustainability of interventions was also positively assessed. The audit report further noted that the design of the Grant Scheme projects has been consistently followed during implementation. The MOESTD carried out a follow-up evaluation. The report is expected in January 2022. Performance-Based Conditions Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P157117 IBRD-86930 Effective USD 50.00 50.00 0.00 16.91 34.68 33% Key Dates (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P157117 IBRD-86930 Effective 21-Feb-2017 12-May-2017 13-Feb-2018 30-Dec-2022 30-Dec-2022 Cumulative Disbursements 12/21/2021 Page 7 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care (P157117) PBC Disbursement Achievement Disbursed amount in Disbursement % PBC ID PBC Type Description Coc PBC Amount Status Coc for PBC Restructuring History Level 2 Approved on 22-Aug-2019 Related Project(s) There are no related projects. 12/21/2021 Page 8 of 8