The World Bank Report No: ISR11143 Implementation Status & Results Liberia Global Partnership for Education Grant for Basic Education Project (P117662) Public Disclosure Copy Operation Name: Global Partnership for Education Grant for Basic Education Project Stage: Implementation Seq.No: 5 Status: ARCHIVED Archive Date: 26-Jun-2013 Project (P117662) Country: Liberia Approval FY: 2011 Product Line: Recipient Executed Activities Region: AFRICA Lending Instrument: Specific Investment Loan Implementing Agency(ies): Key Dates Board Approval Date 28-Jul-2010 Original Closing Date 30-Jun-2013 Planned Mid Term Review Date 19-Mar-2012 Last Archived ISR Date 08-Dec-2012 Effectiveness Date 31-Jan-2011 Revised Closing Date 29-Jun-2015 Actual Mid Term Review Date 28-Nov-2012 Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) To improve management capacity and accountability at the central and school levels for school construction in rural areas, procurement and distribution of teaching and learning materials, and school based management Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project? Yes No Component(s) Component Name Component Cost Improving Management Capacity and Accountability (component restructured Sep 2012) 5.50 School Construction in Rural Areas (component restructured Sep 2012) 16.20 Procurement and Distribution of Teaching and Learning Materials (component restructured Sep 2012) 11.00 School Based Management through Grants (component restructured Sep 2012) 7.30 Public Disclosure Copy Overall Ratings Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating Substantial Substantial Implementation Status Overview The FTI Grant for Basic Education Project (FTI BEP) was approved on September 1, 2010 and the grant agreement was signed on September 29, 2010. The three-year project became effective on January 31, 2011. The project was restructured in November 2011 to include the construction, and not just rehabilitation, of Early Childhood Development centers. The project was restructured again in September 2012, to include the following changes: (i) a revised Project Development Objective (PDO), (ii) reduce the number of project Page 1 of 6 The World Bank Report No: ISR11143 components, and (iii) modify the results framework to be aligned with the new PDO. The revised components support (i) strengthened institutional capacity for management and accountability at central and school levels, (ii) school construction in rural areas, (iii) procurement and distribution of teaching and learning materials, and (iv) school based management (SBM) through sub-grants. The new PDO is “To improve management capacity and accountability at the central and school levels for school construction in rural areas, procurement and distribution of teaching and learning materials, and school based management�. The Financing Agreement was amended accordingly. In March 2013 a two-year Public Disclosure Copy project extension was approved following the extension of the GPE parent fund. The new closing date of the project is June 29, 2015. Although the restructured project design has improved implementation, several challenges continued to hamper progress, especially in the areas of school construction and learning materials. These challenges were exacerbated by changes in leadership and vacancies in the PST; all three former Deputy Ministers were replaced in March/April 2013, and several key positions in the PST remain vacant. The 17 sites included in Phase I of school construction were tendered and bids were received from various local contractors. The MOE prepared bid evaluation reports, though due to inconsistencies in the quality of the packages, the reports required a series of revisions, which delayed the award of contracts. However, these issues have been addressed, no objections are in process, and signed contracts are anticipated for all Phase I lots by end June. Also, after multiple rounds of negotiations, a suitable agreement has not been reached between the MOE and the NGO that would support school construction through the community driven development (CDD) process. The MOE received bids for Grades 5-9 textbooks, though the report evaluating these bids was significantly delayed due to the illness and subsequent contract termination of the Textbooks Contract Management consultant. A new Textbooks Consultant has since been hired and is working in Monrovia with the MOE. With his support, the MOE has finalized arrangements for procurment via direct contracting of supplementary readers for Grades 1-4. The MOE also recently submitted bidding documents for instructional materials for Grades 1-9. The school grants sub-component has seen the most progress in recent months. The School Grants Guidelines have been finalized and approved, satisfying the grant agreement’s legal covenant related to the development of templates to capture expenditure information. The school grants pilot program was launched in four counties and orientation training was conducted in 413 schools. Of these, 402 schools have opened bank accounts and submitted approved School Grant Utilization Plans, thereby fulfilling the final disbursement condition of the school grants sub-component. It further should be noted that the pilot has generated a number of lessons learned that will inform the upcoming national rollout of the school grants program. The incoming TTL, who took over leadership of the project in January 2013, has led two implementation support missions (Feb 25 – Mar 8 and May 6-10, 2013) and another mission is scheduled for August 2013. Locations Country First Administrative Division Location Planned Actual Liberia Montserrado County Montserrado County ✔ Results Project Development Objective Indicators Public Disclosure Copy Page 2 of 6 The World Bank Report No: ISR11143 Indicator Name Core Unit of Measure Baseline Current End Target Direct project beneficiaries Number Value 0.00 0.00 473000.00 Date 06-Sep-2012 12-Jun-2013 29-Jun-2015 Public Disclosure Copy Comments Number of grade 1-9 students School grants are launching benefitting from school sub- in four (4) pilot counties in grants; gov’t budget to be June 2013, and school phased in years 3 and 4 and construction and learning therefore the decrease in materials procurements are number of beneficiaries well advanced. Significant movement should be recorded in the next six months. Female beneficiaries Percentage Value 44.00 0.00 44.00 Sub Type Supplemental Schools constructed according to standardized Percentage Value 0.00 0.00 75.00 school construction guidelines under the Date 06-Sep-2012 12-Jun-2013 29-Jun-2015 project Comments School design standardization conference held October 2012. Standard designs officially adopted and implemented April 2013. All Phase I schools (17 lots) to be constructed according to standardized school construction guidelines. Procurement of textbooks and teacher guides Percentage Value 0.00 0.00 100.00 for grades 5-9 verified by September 2013 Date 06-Sep-2012 12-Jun-2013 30-Sep-2013 under the project Comments Percent of teacher guides and Revised Bid Evaluation textbooks received at County Report presently under Education Offices review; final, approved Public Disclosure Copy version anticipated by June 21. Distribution of textbooks and teacher guides for Percentage Value 0.00 0.00 85.00 grades 5-9 verified by December 2013 under Date 06-Sep-2012 12-Jun-2013 30-Sep-2013 the project Comments Percent of schools with Revised Bid Evaluation delivery confirmation notes Report presently under that verify distribution review; final, approved version anticipated by June 21. Page 3 of 6 The World Bank Report No: ISR11143 Schools single signatories to own bank account Number Value 0.00 0.00 1000.00 Date 06-Sep-2012 12-Jun-2013 29-Jun-2015 Comments Schools become single Pilot program in four counties Public Disclosure Copy signatories after confirmed (400+ schools) has begun. FM capacity Final disbursement conditions fulfilled; school grants to pilot program participants to disburse by June 30. Intermediate Results Indicators Indicator Name Core Unit of Measure Baseline Current End Target Number of additional classrooms built or Number Value 0.00 0.00 272.00 rehabilitated at the primary level resulting from Date 29-Dec-2010 12-Jun-2014 29-Jun-2015 project interventions. Comments Bid opening for construction of Phase I schools (17 lots) held February 2013; No objections for 10 lots issues, 7 under review Annual school construction database updated Yes/No Value Yes Yes Yes by annual Joint Sector Review Date 06-Sep-2012 12-Jun-2013 29-Jun-2015 Comments Joint Sector Reviewed scheduled for October 2013 Standardized school construction guidelines for Yes/No Value No Yes Yes site selection, design, contract management, Date 06-Sep-2012 29-Apr-2013 30-Jun-2013 and construction quality approved by MOE Comments Draft guidelines are in Standardization Workshop Senior Management Team progress held October 2012; standard school construction guidelines officially implemented April 2013. Teaching and learning materials utilization Yes/No Value No No Yes Public Disclosure Copy assessment study conducted and reported Date 06-Sep-2012 12-Jun-2013 29-Jun-2015 Comments School Grant Guidelines approved by MOE Yes/No Value No Yes Yes Senior Management Team Date 06-Sep-2012 05-Mar-2012 30-Jun-2013 Comments School Grants Guidelines were finalized and submitted by SMT for Bank review; no objection issued March 5, 2013. Page 4 of 6 The World Bank Report No: ISR11143 School sub-grants implemented in accordance Percentage Value 0.00 0.00 30.00 with School Grant Guidelines Date 06-Sep-2012 12-Jun-2012 29-Jun-2015 Comments Share of schools following Pilot phase launched in four Public Disclosure Copy School Grant Guidelines, (4) counties – Margibi, which will be defined in the Gbarpolu, River Gee, and SGG; consequences for Bomi. 402 schools have schools that do not adhere to established SGMCs, opened the SGG will also be defined bankaccounts, and submitted approved SGUPs. Pilot school grants to disburse by end June 2013. Social accountability framework for teaching / Yes/No Value No No Yes learning materials and school sub-grants Date 06-Sep-2012 12-Jun-2013 30-Jun-2013 programs developed and approved by MOE Comments Social accountability A draft grievance redress Senior Management Team framework to improve mechanism has been feedback from communities, developed, and is being schools, and NGOs to MOE further refined with assistance from the task team and OPCS's Dispute Resolution Team. The M&E Plan and School Grants Guidelines also will form part of its structure. Joint Education Sector Review held Yes/No Value Yes Yes Yes Date 06-Sep-2012 12-Jun-2013 29-Jun-2015 Comments Held in August 2012 The current annual Joint Education Sector Review is scheduled for October 2013. Preparations are on-going. Data on Financial Performance (as of 05-Jun-2013) Public Disclosure Copy Financial Agreement(s) Key Dates Project Ln/Cr/Tf Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Original Closing Date Revised Closing Date P117662 TF-97456 Effective 29-Sep-2010 29-Sep-2010 31-Jan-2011 30-Jun-2013 29-Jun-2015 Disbursements (in Millions) Project Ln/Cr/Tf Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P117662 TF-97456 Effective USD 40.00 40.00 0.00 8.32 31.68 21.00 Disbursement Graph Page 5 of 6 The World Bank Report No: ISR11143 Public Disclosure Copy Key Decisions Regarding Implementation The project was restructured in September 2012. The new PDO is “To improve management capacity and accountability at the central and school levels for school construction in rural areas, procurement and distribution of teaching and learning materials, and school based management�. The Financing Agreement was amended accordingly. Restructuring History Level two Approved on 01-Nov-2011, Level one Approved on 06-Sep-2012, Level two Approved on 28-Feb-2013 Related Projects There are no related projects. Public Disclosure Copy Page 6 of 6