Document of The World Bank FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Report No: PAD1976 INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION PROJECT PAPER ON A PROPOSED ADDITIONAL CREDIT IN THE AMOUNT OF US$5.00 MILLION (SDR 3.6 MILLION EQUIVALENT) TO THE REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA FOR A SECOND SUPPORT TO THE EDUCATION SECTOR PROJECT August 24, 2016 Education Global Practice Latin America and the Caribbean Region This document has a restricted distribution and may be used by recipients only in the performance of their official duties. Its contents may not otherwise be disclosed without World Bank authorization. CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS (Exchange Rate Effective August 8, 2016) Currency Unit = US$ Córdoba (NIO) 28.90 = US$1 FISCAL YEAR January 1 – December 31 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS AF Additional Financing GRS World Bank’s Grievance Redress Service IDA International Development Association IPDP Indigenous Peoples Development Plan IRR Internal Rate of Return LLECE Latin American Laboratory for Assesment of Quality of Educaction MINED (Laboratorio Latinoamericano de Evaluación de la Calidad de la Educación) Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación) PASEN II Second Support to the Education Sector Project (Segundo Proyecto de Apoyo al Sector de Educación Nacional) PDO Project Development Objective PMS Planning and Monitoring System RACN Northern Caribbean Autonomous Region (Region Autónoma Caribe Norte) RACS Southern Caribbean Autonomous Region (Region Autónoma Caribe Sur) SDR Special Drawing Rights TERCE Third Regional Comparative Standardized Student Assessment (Tercer Estudio Regional Comparativo y Explicativo) TEPCES In-service teacher training model (Talleres de Evaluación, Programación y Capacitación Educativa) US United States Vice President: Jorge Familiar Country Director: J. Humberto Lopez Senior Global Practice Director: Amit Dar Practice Manager: Reema Nayar Task Team Leader: Enrique O. Alasino Massetti, Patrick Ramanantoanina i NICARAGUA ADDITIONAL FINANCING - SECOND SUPPORT TO THE EDUCATION SECTOR PROJECT CONTENTS Project Paper Data Sheet iii Project Paper I. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1 II. Background and Rationale for Additional Financing .............................................................. 1 III. Proposed Changes ..................................................................................................................... 4 IV. Appraisal Summary .................................................................................................................. 6 V. World Bank Grievance Redress ............................................................................................... 10 Mandatory Annexes Annex 1: Results Framework and Monitoring.............................................................................. 11 ii ADDITIONAL FINANCING DATA SHEET Nicaragua Additional Financing - Second Support to the Education Sector Project (P160057) LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN EDUCATION GLOBAL PRACTICE . Basic Information – Parent Parent Project ID: P126357 Original EA Category: C - Not Required Current Closing Date: 31-Dec-2016 Basic Information – Additional Financing (AF) Additional Financing Project ID: P160057 Cost Overrun, Scale up Type (from AUS): Regional Vice Jorge Familiar Proposed EA Category: C President: Expected Effectiveness Country Director: J. Humberto Lopez 09-Oct-2016 Date: Senior Global Practice Amit Dar Expected Closing Date: 31-Dec-2017 Director: Practice Reema Nayar Report No: PAD1976 Manager/Manager: Enrique O. Alasino Massetti, Patrick Team Leader(s): Philippe Ramanantoanina Borrower Organization Name Contact Title Telephone Email Minister, Ministry Government of Nicaragua, of Ministry of Finance and Sr. Ivan Acosta Finance +505 222-7061 ivan.acosta@mhcp.gob.ni Public Credit (MHCP) and Public Credit Project Financing Data - Parent ( Second Support to the Education Sector Project PASEN II- P126357 ) (in US$ Million) Key Dates Approval Signing Effectiveness Original Revised Project Ln/Cr/TF Status Date Date Date Closing Date Closing Date P12635 Effectiv 20-Jan- IDA-50360 17-Jan-2012 10-Apr-2012 30-Jun-2016 31-Dec-2016 7 e 2012 iii Disbursements Disburs Undisbur % Project Ln/Cr/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled ed sed Disbursed P126357 IDA-50360 Effective XDR 15.80 15.80 0.00 13.47 2.33 85.27 Project Financing Data - Additional Financing Additional Financing - Second Support to the Education Sector Project ( P160057) (in US$ Million) [ ] Loan [ ] Grant [ ] IDA Grant [X] Credit [ ] Guarantee [ ] Other Total Project Cost: 5.00 Total Bank Financing: 5.00 Financing Gap: 0.00 Financing Source – Additional Financing (AF) Amount BORROWER/RECIPIENT 0.00 International Development Association (IDA) 5.00 Financing Gap 0.00 Total 5.00 Policy Waivers Does the project depart from the CAS in content or in other significant No respects? Explanation Does the project require any policy waiver(s) No Explanation Team Composition Bank Staff Name Role Title Specialization Unit Enrique O. Alasino Team Leader Education Spec. GED04 Massetti (ADM Responsible) Patrick Philippe Team Leader Senior Education GED04 Ramanantoanina Specialist Carlos Federico Procurement Senior Procurement GGO04 Lago Specialist (ADM Specialist Responsible) Enrique Antonio Financial Financial GGO22 Roman Management Management Specialist Specialist iv Tatiana Cristina O. Finance Officer Finance Officer WFALN de Abreu Adriana Cecilia Team Member Temporary GEDDR Espinal Antonella Novali Team Member Program Assistant GED04 Gabriel Esteban Team Member GED04 Barrientos Gabriela Grinsteins Counsel Counsel LEGLE Julio Daniel Team Member Consultant GED04 Martinez Linda Castillo Team Member Program Assistant LCCNI Marco Antonio Safeguards Consultant GEN04 Zambrano Chavez Specialist Ricardo Jose Safeguards Consultant GSU10 Castellon Zamora Specialist Extended Team Name Title Location Locations Country First Location Planned Actual Comments Administrative Division Nicaragua Rio San Juan Departamento de X X Rio San Juan Nicaragua Nueva Segovia Departamento de X X Nueva Segovia Nicaragua Matagalpa Departamento de X X Matagalpa Nicaragua Madriz Departamento de X X Madriz Nicaragua Jinotega Departamento de X X Jinotega Nicaragua Chontales Departamento de X X Chontales Nicaragua Atlantico Norte Región Autónoma X X (RACN) Costa Caribe Norte (RACN) Nicaragua Atlantico Sur Región Autónoma X X (RACS) Costa Caribe Sur (RACS) v Institutional Data Parent (Second Support to the Education Sector Project PASEN II-P126357) Practice Area (Lead) Education Contributing Practice Areas Additional Financing - Second Support to the Education Sector Project (P160057) Practice Area (Lead) Education Contributing Practice Areas Consultants (Will be disclosed in the Monthly Operational Summary) Consultants will be required vi I. Introduction 1. This Project Paper seeks the approval of the Executive Directors to provide an additional credit to the Republic of Nicaragua in an amount of US$5 million for the Second Support to the Education Sector Project – PASEN II (Credit 5036-NI). The proposed Additional Financing (AF) was requested by the Government of Nicaragua to (i) cover a financing gap due to the depreciation of the Special Drawing Rights (SDR) relative to the United States (US) dollar, and (ii) scale up two key activities, the refurbishing of schools and the implementation of in-service teacher training, for an additional year. With regards to the financing gap, the AF would allow the completion of (i) the development and implementation of an action plan to improve learning/teaching practices based on the outcomes of the student learning assessments, (ii) the development of planning and management systems and education statistics systems within MINED to better use financial and outcome information for decision-making, and (iii) the infrastructure inventory and pre-investment studies required for school construction. 2. The Project Development Objective (PDO) would not change, however, Component 2 (Improving the Quality of Teaching Methods) would be expanded to allow for: (i) purchase of equipment for in-service teacher training; and (ii) the implementation of the remedial action plan based on the results of student learning assessments. The closing date of the additional credit would be December 31, 2017 and the original credit would be extended from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2017. As a result, the date for target achievement would be revised for two PDO indicators and four intermediate results indicators. Moreover, the description of one PDO indicator related to the Planning and Monitoring System (PMS) would be modified and target values for two intermediate indicators would be revised to reflect the provision of school furniture for an additional year. II. Background and Rationale for Additional Financing 3. Country Context. Poverty reduction has accelerated in Nicaragua in the last six years in both urban and rural areas, although challenges remain. Between 2009 and 2014, there was a significant reduction in poverty of nearly 13 percentage points, with the national poverty rate standing at 29.6 percent, while extreme poverty 1 fell from 14.6 percent to 8.3 percent. 2 However, urban-rural disparities remain stark, with urban poverty at 2.4 percent compared to rural poverty at 16.3 percent. Challenges remain in terms of reducing poverty given that most of the poor live in rural areas and many in remote communities where access to basic services is still constrained by very limited infrastructure. Moreover, social and basic service indicators in the rural Caribbean coast region are significantly lower than in the rest of the country, disproportionately impacting indigenous and Afro-descendant populations. 4. Sector Context and Institutional Context. Nicaragua has made progress on both access to and quality of education, although challenges remain. The Government’s Education Sector Strategy 2011-15 includes three key priorities: (i) expanded access to preschool education; (ii) universal completion of six grades of primary education; and (iii) universal access to lower secondary education (Grades 7-9). Nicaragua is on track to achieve its objective of universal 1 Based on national poverty lines in 2014 (extreme poverty line US$396, overall poverty line US$640). 2 Living Standards Measurement Study, 2014. 1 primary education and MINED has introduced several educational modalities (distance rural education, alternate courses, etc.) to facilitate universal completion of nine grades of education, including one year of preschool. On both access and quality sides, there has been tangible improvement, but Nicaragua still lags behind other countries in the region. Enrollment rates have improved at all levels and retention rates at the primary level have increased. The likelihood of completing Grade 6 once enrolled in Grade 1 has increased to 63 percent in 2013, up from 53 percent in 2008 (MINED, 2016). In the recent Third Regional Standardized Student Assessment (2013) (Tercer Estudio Regional Comparativo y Explicativo, TERCE), Nicaragua made slight improvements in student learning performance. However, the main challenge continues to be the delivery of quality education to disadvantaged rural households. 5. Project Background and Status. PASEN II (US$25 million) was approved in January 2012 and became effective on April 10, 2012. The PDO is to: (a) improve student retention rate in primary education schools located in participating municipalities; and (b) strengthen MINED’s education management capacity. The Project finances three Components: (a) Component 1: Improving the learning environment of schools, which includes provision and distribution of school kits to eligible children, refurbishing of beneficiary schools, and development, printing and distribution of learning and teaching materials to schools; (b) Component 2: Improving the quality of teaching methods, which supports implementation of the in-service teacher training model (TEPCES), improvement of multi-grade and bilingual teaching programs, design and implementation of student learning assessments, and carrying out of an accelerated remedial school pilot program for rural over–aged students; and (c) Component 3: Strengthening MINED’s education management capacity, which includes improvement to and integration of MINED’s planning and statistical information systems, improvement to planning of school infrastructure and preparation of pre-investment studies, and support to Project management, fiduciary controls, and audits. 6. The Project was restructured in September 2015 to integrate key changes to the Project’s scope. The restructuring responded to a request from the Government to expand and fully fund the distribution of school kits in targeted municipalities. The restructuring also took into account the Government’s request that the Project finance a number of activities related to the national strategy for improving retention and promotion rates for primary education. The Project closing date was extended for a period of six months. 7. The Project has made tangible progress towards achievement of the PDO. The Project is on track to achieve the first PDO to improve retention rates in primary schools in the selected municipalities, with the increase of the overall within-year primary education retention rate from 87 percent in 2012 to 89 percent in 2015 (the end target value is 91 percent by December 2016). However, achievement of the second PDO 3 to strengthen MINED’s education management capacity is lagging, as a number of key activities aimed at developing capacity for school infrastructure management and for education planning and monitoring have been delayed due to the lack of resources resulting from the depreciation of the SDR relative to the US dollar. It is expected that the activities would be completed and the second objective would be fully achieved with the AF. 3 The second PDO is measured through two indicators: (i) Development and use by MINED of the new PMS; and (ii) Development and use by MINED of the new school infrastructure inventory system. 2 8. Progress on Implementation is also tangible based on both the achievements in Components 1 and 2, and the challenges faced in Component 3. For Component 1 and 2 all activities are on track and are expected to be finalized as planned by December 2016. Distribution of school furniture is well advanced. Textbooks, teaching and learning materials have been delivered at all primary schools, and the provision of new textbooks for the implementation of the new strategy for Grades 1 and 2 is ongoing. The Project has trained about 1,430 new primary multi-grade teachers and provided in-service training through regular regional workshops for around 6,200 primary teachers. Activities aiming at improving bilingual instruction are mostly achieved, while the pilot for accelerated primary education for rural over-age students has been completed and evaluated. Finally, the activities related to using learning assessments to improve instruction are well advanced, with the completion of the TERCE and the national-level standardized learning assessment in language and mathematics for Grades 4, 6 and 9. The preparation of the dissemination of the results and the remediation actions, and the review of the national evaluation policies and strategies will be completed by December 2016. However, for Component 3 several activities are behind schedule. A first draft of the conceptual framework of the PMS has been produced, and a firm will be contracted for the development of the system. The pre-investment studies and data collection for the infrastructure inventory system have both been delayed; and this AF would enable the Project to achieve the target of completion of 212 pre- investment studies, as well as the nationwide collection of infrastructure information. 9. Rationale for Additional Financing. The AF is expected to cover a financing gap due to the depreciation of the SDR relative to the US dollar. It will ensure: (i) completion of activities to achieve key project objectives; (ii) continuation of certain recurrent activities; and (iii) financing of operational costs. Due to the depreciation of the SDR relative to the US dollar, the original Credit amount of SDR15.80 million decreased from US$25 million equivalent at the time of Project approval to about US$21.98 million equivalent as of July 2016. The depreciation affected MINED’s capacity to carry out certain activities under Component 3 linked to the second PDO. Besides the financing of activities directly affected by the depreciation of the SDR, the additional financing is required to support: (i) operational costs; and (ii) implementation of a number of recurrent Project activities, for an additional year of Project implementation. In this context, the overall financing gap stands at US$5 million. Therefore, the AF will finance: (i) provision of school furniture to schools in targeted municipalities (Component 1); (ii) in-service teacher training, including the provision of equipment to the training centers, implementation of the remedial action plan based on the results of student assessments, and participation in the preparation of the next regional student assessment of the Latin American Laboratory for Assessment of Quality of Education (Laboratorio Latinoamericano de Evaluación de la Calidad de la Educación, LLECE) in 2017 (Component 2); and (iii) deployment of the first phase of the PMS at the central and/or department levels, development and maintenance of a school infrastructure inventory system, preparation of pre-investment studies, and fiduciary management and operational costs associated with Project implementation (Component 3). 10. Three solutions to the funding shortfall were considered and seeking additional financing was deemed the best option. Three alternative options were considered by the team, including: (i) reduction in the overall scope of the Project; (ii) increase in funding from counterpart and/or other financial partners; and (iii) additional IDA 17 resources. As all Project activities have 3 been launched and most are nearly completed, reducing the scope of the Project was not considered a desirable option. Similarly, both the Government and the European Union had already increased their contributions during the September 2015 Project restructuring. Furthermore, considering the Government’s agenda for the preparation of the new Education Sector Strategy 2017-2021 4 and the scarcity of other donor resources, the option to seek additional IDA 17 financing was considered the most appropriate manner to facilitate completion of the Project's activities and achieve the PDOs. 11. Through the Ministry of Finance, the Government confirmed its commitment to the Project, as well as the relevance of its objectives during the mid-term review on April 24, 2015. Project activities are expected to be included in the New Education Sector Plan (2017-2021) being prepared by MINED. In addition, it is consistent with Pillar 1 of the World Bank’s current Country Partnership Strategy for 2013-2017 (Report No. 98404-NI) to “Raise welfare by improving access to quality basic services,” and the Project remains relevant to the World Bank Group twin goals of reducing poverty and boosting shared prosperity, through its contribution to enhancing access to quality education in selected municipalities. III. Proposed Changes Summary of Proposed Changes The proposed additional financing would help finance the costs associated with a financing gap, as requested by the Borrower on June 29, 2015. Change in Implementing Agency Yes [ ] No [ X ] Change in Project's Development Objectives Yes [ ] No [ X ] Change in Results Framework Yes [ X ] No [ ] Change in Safeguard Policies Triggered Yes [ ] No [ X ] Change of EA category Yes [ ] No [ X ] Other Changes to Safeguards Yes [ ] No [ X ] Change in Legal Covenants Yes [ ] No [ X ] Change in Loan Closing Date(s) Yes [ X ] No [ ] Cancellations Proposed Yes [ ] No [ X ] Change in Disbursement Arrangements Yes [ ] No [ X ] Reallocation between Disbursement Categories Yes [ ] No [ X ] Change in Disbursement Estimates Yes [ ] No [ X ] Change to Components and Cost Yes [ X ] No [ ] Change in Institutional Arrangements Yes [ ] No [ X ] Change in Financial Management Yes [ ] No [ X ] 4 The new Education Sector Strategy is expected to be available by the last quarter of 2016. 4 Change in Procurement Yes [ ] No [ X ] Change in Implementation Schedule Yes [ ] No [ X ] Other Change(s) Yes [ ] No [ X ] Development Objective/Results PHHHDO Project’s Development Objectives Original PDO The PDO is to: a) improve the students’ retention rate in Primary Education Schools located in Participating Municipalities; and (b) strengthen MINED’s education management capacity. Change in Results Framework The following changes to the Results Framework are proposed: Change in date for target achievement from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2017 for: • PDO Indicator 4: Development and use by MINED of the new PMS • PDO Indicator 5: Development and use by MINED of the new school infrastructure inventory system • Intermediate Results Indicator 12: Teachers who participate in dissemination events of national learning assessment results under the Project • Intermediate Results Indicator 15: Pre-investment infrastructure studies developed under the Project Change in description for: • PDO Indicator 4: Development and use by MINED of the new PMS. The new PMS will be developed in several phases and the AF will only cover the first phase of development. Thus, the description for the measurement of this indicator would be modified. Instead of “60 percent means hardware and equipment purchased and implementation of the new PMS initiated” it will be modified as follows: “60 percent means hardware and equipment purchased and implementation for the first phase of development of the new PMS initiated.” Instead of “80 percent means implementation of the new PMS completed and MINED’s staff trained” it will be modified as follows: “80 percent means implementation of the first phase of development of the new PMS completed and MINED’s staff trained.” Instead of “100 percent means MINED’s staff actively using the new PMS and a first report produced by the General Directorate of Planning and submitted to the World Bank” it will be modified as follows: “100 percent means MINED’s staff actively using the subsystems of the new PMS developed during the first phase and a first report produced by the General Directorate of Planning and submitted to the World Bank.” Change in target and date of achievement from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2017 for: • Intermediate Results Indicator 4: Number of school appropriately equipped. The new target is 1,500 schools in December 31, 2017 instead of 1,379 in 2016 in December, 2016. • Intermediate Results Indicator 16: Number of direct beneficiaries. The new target is 250,000 in December 31, 2017 instead of 242,157 in December 31, 2016 Compliance 5 Covenants: The Recipient shall update, adopt and thereafter carry out the Project in accordance with an operational manual (the Operational Manual), satisfactory to the Association. Conditions: Effectiveness Condition: The Operational Manual has been adopted by the Recipient in a manner and with contents acceptable to the Association. Risk Risk Category Rating (H, S, M, L) 1. Political and Governance Substantial 2. Macroeconomic Low 3. Sector Strategies and Policies Low 4. Technical Design of Project or Program Moderate 5. Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Substantial Sustainability 6. Fiduciary Moderate 7. Environment and Social Low 8. Stakeholders Low 9. Other N/A OVERALL Moderate Finance Loan Closing Date - Additional Financing (AF PASEN II - P160057) Source of Funds Proposed Additional Financing Loan Closing Date IDA Credit December 31, 2017 Allocations - Additional Financing (AF PASEN II – P160057) Source of Category of Allocation Disbursement % (Type Total) Currency Fund Expenditure Proposed Proposed (1) Goods, Non- consulting services, consultants' services, Training and IDA US$ Operating Costs under 5.00 100% Parts A.2, B.2, B.4 and Part C of the Project (excluding Part C.3(ii) of the Project) Total: 5.00 IV. Appraisal Summary 6 Economic and Financial Analysis PHHASEFA Explanation: The economic analysis for the AF indicates that PASEN II remains economically justified. On the basis of the original analytical framework and sensitivity analysis, the Project would still generate an internal rate of return (IRR) of over 7 percent above the market rate, although the IRR at Project preparation was 11 percent above the market rate. The revised IRR is lower than originally estimated because the current repetition and dropout rates are lower than anticipated at Project preparation (15 percent in the selected municipalities at Project preparation, as compared to 10 percent at time of AF request). On the financial analysis, the Government has allocated higher resources to education than it committed to in the Education Sector Plan 2011-2015. In 2014, total education spending was about 4 percent of Gross Domestic Product (compared to the 3.7 percent commitment for 2015 in the Plan), while the 2015 objective (18 percent) for the share for education compared to the total domestic recurrent spending had already been achieved in 2014. This implies additional fiscal space for MINED to finance recurrent costs for school inputs and training. Technical Analysis PHHASTA Explanation: The proposed activities to be financed by the AF are essential for improving access to and quality of education in Nicaragua. The implementation of one year for two recurrent activities (the provision of school furniture and in-service training) is expected to contribute to reducing repetition and dropout rates by improving learning conditions for students and enhancing teaching methods. Both of these activities are currently being successfully implemented under the original Project. With respect to in-service training, the AF would allow for the purchase of Information and Communication Technology equipment required for the new training methods. MINED is currently preparing a pilot for class observations which is expected to provide inputs to improve the content of the in-service training. The AF would allow MINED to achieve the activities related to the use of student assessments to improve instruction, which is the ultimate objective of the TERCE and the national-level standardized learning assessments. These activities seek to ensure that remedial actions and corrective measures are properly identified, designed and implemented in order to correct any gaps and weaknesses in the curriculum, learning materials, and teaching and learning methods. The activities are being implemented with technical assistance from the Centro de Medición, Universidad Católica of Chile. With respect to infrastructure, the AF will allow completion of ongoing infrastructure, as well as facilitate finalization of the remaining pre-investment studies for school construction, which have been delayed due to a number of institutional changes within MINED. The Project is addressing critical issues for the education management system. The AF will support the development of the PMS, for which the conceptual framework has already been elaborated. It will be an integrated system, allowing MINED to improve the programming and use of financial and physical resources at all educational and administrative levels. 7 Finally, the AF will enable MINED to finance the requisite fiduciary and safeguard specialists and ensure that all fiduciary and safeguards aspects are properly managed. Social Analysis PHHASSA Explanation: The Project would continue to support the selected municipalities identified under the Parent Project. The AF would intervene in 40 municipalities in six departments, and the two Caribbean Autonomous Regions (RACCN and RACCS). These municipalities have the worst primary education efficiency rates (low retention, high dropout and high repetition rates) and the highest poverty levels. They are among the poorest in Nicaragua, in which the percentage of the population living in extreme poverty ranges from 44 percent in Santa Maria to 87 percent in El Tortuguero. The percentage of children aged 7-13 not enrolled in primary schools in these 40 municipalities ranges from 10 percent in San Carlos to 67 percent in La Cruz de Rio Grande. The Project would also continue to benefit Indigenous Peoples living in RACN, RACS, and the North Pacific and Center Regions, as well as the afro-descendant populations living in the Rio San Juan, and the poor and mestizo communities throughout the entire country. The Project triggers OP/BP 4.10 (Indigenous Peoples). The Indigenous Peoples Development Plan (IPDP), disclosed on the Ministry of Education website and on the World Bank website on March 1, 2012, would continue to be implemented, particularly under the measures and procedures to inform, consult and facilitate the participation of Indigenous Peoples living in the regions covered by the Project. Gender. The IPDP takes into account cultural characteristics of the indigenous groups to ensure inclusion of both genders. In line with the IPDP, a gender-based approach to promote the access of girls to education was developed under the Parent Project and would continue to be implemented under the AF. The number of direct beneficiaries from the Project is estimated to be 245,000 individuals, of which approximately 49 percent are female. The direct beneficiaries include primary school students, in- service primary teachers, newly graduated primary teachers, and MINED’s technical and fiduciary staff. Fiduciary Analysis Overall, MINED has qualified staff and sufficient experience with World Bank requirements, as evidenced by the implementation of a number of World Bank operations for which the last rating for Financial Management was Moderately Satisfactory. Basic budgeting, accounting, reporting, cash flow, audit arrangements, internal control system and asset management procedures are in place. MINED uses the Integrated Financial Management and Audit System and the Financial Management Information System, both considered to be reliable automated financial systems to support budgeting execution processes and provision of financial reports. Furthermore, the proposed AF does not require complex or decentralized Financial Management arrangements. There are no outstanding audit reports. The AF will use the Operational Manual of the Parent Project, which 8 outlines detailed procedures, rules and responsibilities. An updated version of the Operational manual will be submitted to the World Bank prior to effectiveness of the AF. On the basis of the desk review performed, the Overall Fiduciary Risk is considered Substantial, mainly because of the following aspects. First, the proposed AF will continue to be executed along with the three other different but complementary projects, the credit with various categories and two trust funds that includes scholarships, civil works, training and operational costs that demand intensive follow up of all MINED key areas. These features require strong coordination, verification, continued follow-up, and control mechanisms, which still need to be addressed, especially as it relates to the amounts transferred to each Departmental Delegation. Second, Project financial reports and financial statements are prepared using the Financial Management Information System, however, the high volume of transactions may lead to errors and inconsistencies if not properly reconciled. Third, contract management and payment approval and processing require participation of different units within MINED. While procedures are clear, there is a need to improve MINED’s capacity to track the processing of payments and provide accurate information within the MINED’s units. Moreover, additional staff is needed for the monitoring of such procedures and the AF will enable MINED to recruit needed staff. Environmental Analysis Explanation: The Environmental Assessment for the AF would be maintained as Category C, following OP/BP 4.01, as with the Parent Project. The AF will not finance construction and is not expected to generate adverse environmental effects. Nonetheless, the pre-investment studies will identify potential environmental and social negative impacts that the execution of works potentially will affect people and the environment once the construction will be executed. The pre-investment studies are being carried out in accordance with World Bank policies and include both appropriate environmental and safety considerations and criteria to minimize temporary involuntary resettlement, as defined under OP/BP 4.12 (Involuntary Resettlement). While the Parent Project and the AF are financing the pre-investment studies, school construction is financed under another World Bank - managed Project, the Education Sector Strategy Support Project ESSSP – P133557 (TF013232 and TF015143). The Parent Project and the AF will continue using the Environmental Management Framework (EMF) of the ESSSP Project, approved by the Bank, to ensure that the pre-investment studies comply with international standards for identifying and managing environmental impacts of future school construction. The EMF establishes all the requirements to mitigate any negative environmental impact of the works from the preparation, execution and the exploitation of the school infrastructure. Implementation of the Safeguard during the Parent Project: During the implementation of the Parent Project, a Social Specialist was recruited to supervise the implementation of the IPDP. Periodic reports are prepared and available for review. There are no outstanding issues. The Overall Safeguards implementation rating is Moderately Satisfactory and better articulation between the central with regional and local government is recommended to reduce Project’s transaction costs. The AF will continue to closely monitor the implementation of the safeguards policies. Risk PHHA 9 Explanation: The overall risk rating for the Project is determined to be Moderate. The main risks identified are: (i) political and governance; and (ii) institutional capacity for implementation and sustainability. Political and governance is rated Substantial due to the fact that 2016 is an election year and there is a potential risk of disruption in Project implementation, even though no major changes are expected to take place. Institutional capacity for implementation and sustainability is rated Substantial due to the institutional uncertainty about the future of the group of consultants that support MINED’s infrastructure unit once their assignments end. To avoid disruption in Project implementation during the election period, the MINED will ensure that the main procurement processes are launched shortly after Project effectiveness. For sustainability the MINED has agreed for a gradual integration of the key specialists as MINED permanent staff. V. World Bank Grievance Redress 14. Communities and individuals who believe that they are adversely affected by a World Bank supported project may submit complaints to existing project-level grievance redress mechanisms or the World Bank’s Grievance Redress Service (GRS). The GRS ensures that complaints received are promptly reviewed in order to address project-related concerns. Project affected communities and individuals may submit their complaint to the World Bank’s independent Inspection Panel which determines whether harm occurred, or could occur, as a result of World Bank non-compliance with its policies and procedures. Complaints may be submitted at any time after concerns have been brought directly to the World Bank's attention, and Bank Management has been given an opportunity to respond. For information on how to submit complaints to the World Bank’s corporate GRS, please visit http://www.worldbank.org/GRS. For information on how to submit complaints to the World Bank Inspection Panel, please visit www.inspectionpanel.org. 10 Annex 1: Results Framework and Monitoring Project Development Objectives Original Project Development Objective - Parent: The objectives of the Project are to: (a) improve the students' retention rate in Primary Education Schools located in Participating Municipalities; and (b) strengthen MINED’s education management capacity. Results Core sector indicators are considered: Yes Results reporting level: Project Level . Project Development Objective Indicators Status Indicator Name Core Unit of Measure Baseline Actual(Current) End Target No Change Survival rate through 4th grade Percentage Value 46.00 48.00 50.00 in targeted municipalities Date 31-Mar-2012 27-Nov-2015 31-Dec-2016 Comment No Change Survival rate through 2nd Percentage Value 66.00 71.00 72.00 grade in targeted Sub Type municipalities Supplemental No Change Survival rate through 3rd Percentage Value 70.00 68.00 69.00 grade in targeted Sub Type municipalities Supplemental No Change Within-year retention rate for Percentage Value 87.00 89.00 91.00 primary education in targeted Date 31-Mar-2012 27-Nov-2015 31-Dec-2016 municipalities Comment No Change Within-year retention rate for Percentage Value 88.00 90.00 92.00 grade 2 in targeted Sub Type 11 municipalities Supplemental No Change Within-year retention rate for Percentage Value 81.00 85.00 87.00 grade 1 in targeted Sub Type municipalities Supplemental No Change System for learning assessment Yes/No Value Yes Yes Yes at the primary level Date 31-Mar-2012 09-Jun-2016 31-Dec-2016 Comment No Change Utility of the learning Number Value 1.00 2.00 4.00 assessment system Sub Type Supplemental No Change Data analyzed and results Yes/No Value No No Yes reported Sub Type Date 31-Mar-2012 09-Jun-2016 31-Dec-2016 Breakdown Comment No Change Data reported by gender, Yes/No Value No No Yes urban/rural geographical Sub Type Date 31-Mar-2012 09-Jun-2016 31-Dec-2016 locations Breakdown Comment No Change Assessments repeated at least Yes/No Value No Yes Yes once every 5 years for the same Sub Type Date 31-Mar-2012 09-Jun-2016 31-Dec-2016 subject areas and grades Breakdown Comment Revised Development and use by Percentage Value 0.00 40.00 100.00 MINED of the new PMS Date 31-Mar-2012 09-Jun-2016 31-Dec-2017 Comment Revised Development and use by Percentage Value 0.00 40.00 100.00 MINED of the new school Date 31-Mar-2012 09-Jun-2016 31-Dec-2017 infrastructure inventory system Comment 12 Intermediate Results Indicators Status Indicator Name Core Unit of Measure Baseline Actual(Current) End Target No Change Students in targeted Number Value 0.00 206648.00 280000.00 municipalities that receive Date 31-Mar-2012 27-Nov-2015 31-Dec-2016 Paquetes Solidarios Comment No Change Paquetes Solidarios Program is Text Value No Yes Yes assessed Date 31-Mar-2012 27-Nov-2015 31-Dec-2016 Comment No Change Percentage of parents that Percentage Value 0.00 0.00 50.00 agree or mostly agree with the Date 31-Mar-2012 28-Aug-2015 31-Dec-2016 statement The Paquete Solidario (school kit) was a key Comment reason why I was able to keep my child at school this year? Revised Number of primary schools in Number Value 0.00 1136.00 1500.00 targeted municipalities Date 31-Mar-2012 27-Nov-2015 31-Dec-2017 adequately equipped with furniture, under the Project Comment No Change Primary school students with a Percentage Value 75.00 95.00 95.00 language textbook and a math Date 31-Mar-2012 27-Nov-2015 31-Dec-2016 textbook Comment No Change Primary school students with a Percentage Value 75.00 93.00 95.00 Language & Literature Sub Type textbook Supplemental No Change Primary school students with a Percentage Value 56.00 100.00 95.00 Math textbook Sub Type Date 31-Mar-2012 27-Nov-2015 31-Dec-2016 Breakdown Comment No Change Books distributed in the SEAR Number Value 0.00 81500.00 81500.00 13 under the Project Date 31-Mar-2012 09-Jun-2016 30-Dec-2016 Comment No Change 1st- and 2nd-grade students Number Value 0.00 0.00 98000.00 that receive ESAEDI textbooks Date 31-Mar-2012 27-Nov-2015 31-Dec-2016 in targeted municipalities Comment No Change Teacher trainees enrolled in the Number Value 0.00 1433.00 1541.00 multi-grade pre-service training Date 31-Mar-2012 09-Jun-2016 31-Dec-2016 program under the Project Comment No Change Graduates from the multi-grade Percentage Value 0.00 0.00 pre-service teacher training Date 01-Dec-2015 program who teach for at least one year in targeted areas under Comment the Project Other Municipalities Percentage Value 0.00 0.00 80.00 Sub Type Date 28-Aug-2015 31-Dec-2016 Breakdown Comment SEAR Municipalities Percentage Value 0.00 0.00 70.00 Sub Type Date 28-Aug-2015 31-Dec-2016 Breakdown Comment No Change Average number of primary Number Value 0.00 7232.00 6200.00 education teachers from Date 31-Mar-2012 09-Jun-2016 31-Dec-2016 targeted municipalities that participate in TEPCEs during a Comment given school year, under the Project Other Municipalities Number Value 0.00 4459.00 4200.00 Sub Type Date 28-Aug-2015 31-Dec-2016 Breakdown Comment 14 SEAR Municipalities Number Value 0.00 2408.00 2000.00 Sub Type Date 01-Dec-2015 31-Dec-2016 Breakdown Comment No Change Systematization of Multi-Grade Text Value No No Yes Modality officially published Date 31-Mar-2012 09-Jun-2016 31-Dec-2016 by MINED Comment Revised Teachers who participate in Number Value 0.00 1195.00 6000.00 dissemination events of Date 31-Mar-2012 09-Jun-2016 31-Dec-2017 national learning assessment results under the Project Comment No Change Classrooms in targeted areas Number Value 0.00 15.00 15.00 offering the pilot of accelerated Date 31-Mar-2012 27-Nov-2015 31-Dec-2016 primary school program under the Project Comment No Change Official annual statistical Number Value 0.00 0.00 1.00 reports published under the Date 31-Mar-2012 27-Nov-2015 31-Dec-2016 Project Comment Revised Pre-investment infrastructure Number Value 0.00 88.00 212.00 studies developed under the Date 31-Mar-2012 09-Jun-2016 31-Dec-2017 Project Comment Revised Direct project beneficiaries Number Value 0.00 225217.00 250000.00 Date 31-Mar-2012 27-Aug-2015 31-Dec-2017 Comment No Change Female beneficiaries Percentage Value 0.00 49.00 49.00 Sub Type Supplemental 15