Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Early Childhood Education Project (P145544) Early Childhood Education Project (P145544) EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC | Lao People's Democratic Republic | Education Global Practice | IBRD/IDA | Investment Project Financing | FY 2014 | Seq No: 8 | ARCHIVED on 02-Feb-2018 | ISR30184 | Implementing Agencies: Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Ministry of Education and Sports Key Dates Key Project Dates Bank Approval Date:02-Apr-2014 Effectiveness Date:31-Jul-2014 Planned Mid Term Review Date:16-Jan-2017 Actual Mid-Term Review Date:16-Jan-2017 Original Closing Date:31-Jul-2019 Revised Closing Date:31-Jul-2019 Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The objective of the project is to increase coverage and improve the quality of early childhood education services for 3 to 5-year-olds in target districts Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No PHRPDODEL Components Name Component 1: Increasing Coverage of Early Childhood Education in Target Districts:(Cost $13.80 M) Component 2: Improving Quality of Early Childhood Education Services:(Cost $11.60 M) Component 3: Project Management, Capacity Development, and Monitoring and Evaluation:(Cost $2.60 M) Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO  Moderately Satisfactory  Moderately Unsatisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP)  Moderately Satisfactory  Moderately Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating  Moderate  Moderate Implementation Status and Key Decisions 2/2/2018 Page 1 of 10 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Early Childhood Education Project (P145544) Since the restructuring of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) project in May 2017, implementation has gained momentum. The construction of the additional 300 pre-primary classrooms has been planned in three phases, with imminent start of the first phase covering about 100 classrooms (completion of phase one is expected in April 2018). The restructuring has established a new grant scheme for the Village Education Development Committees, which is being prepared for disbursement to the participating villages. The national school meals program is underway with no delays, and workshops with government and development partners’ participation are planned to improve the financing model and enhance its sustainability. The community awareness campaign has been launched in all 270 target communities and presently the content is being enriched with new materials. In parallel, the project is delivering ongoing capacity building workshops to implementers at village level to ensure better results. The multi age teaching (MAT) program and the community child development groups (CCDG) are being implemented with sufficient focus on enhancing the capacity of teachers and caregivers. The new additions to the program introduced with the restructuring (such as the establishment of toy libraries and the new program monitoring arrangements) have been enforced. Albeit with a delay, the resources to MAT and CCDG (operating grants and teaching and learning aids) have reached the participating communities. The recruitment of the external monitoring firms for the project impact evaluation and continuous monitoring of the school meals program has been completed. The midline impact evaluation data collection started in November and will be completed in March 2018. Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Political and Governance  --  Moderate  Moderate Macroeconomic  --  Moderate  Moderate Sector Strategies and Policies  --  Moderate  Moderate Technical Design of Project or Program  --  Substantial  Substantial Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Sustainability  --  Substantial  Substantial Fiduciary  --  Substantial  Substantial Environment and Social  --  Moderate  Moderate Stakeholders  --  Low  Low Other  --  --  -- Overall  --  Moderate  Moderate Results Project Development Objective Indicators PHINDPDOTBL  Percentage of children aged 3-5 enrolled in ECE programs in CCDG and MAT target villages (disaggregated by gender) (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 12.00 12.00 12.00 50.00 2/2/2018 Page 2 of 10 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Early Childhood Education Project (P145544) Date 01-Apr-2016 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 Comments This indicator is measured through the impact evaluation surveys and the 6 month monitoring visits of the survey firm hired by the Government in November 2017. Midline impact evaluation data collection is currently being implemented, with data expected to be available in March 2018. Monitoring visits data will be available in June/July 2018. PHINDPDOTBL  Share of the girls aged 3-5 in the total number of children of the same age enrolled in ECE programs in CCDG and MAT target villages (Percentage, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 Date 01-Apr-2016 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 PHINDPDOTBL  Percentage of children aged 5 enrolled in ECE programs in all target villages disaggregated by gender (except villages under the school lunch program) (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 11.00 11.00 11.00 48.00 Date 01-Apr-2016 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 Comments This indicator is measured through the impact evaluation surveys and the 6 month monitoring visits of the survey firm hired by the Government in November 2017. Midline impact evaluation data collection is currently being implemented, with data expected to be available in March 2018. Monitoring visits data will be available in June/July 2018. PHINDPDOTBL  Share of the girls aged 5 in the total numebr of 5 year olds enrolled in ECE programs in all target villages (except villages under the school lunch program) (Percentage, Custom Breakdown) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 50.00 50.00 50.00 50.00 Date 01-Apr-2016 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 2/2/2018 Page 3 of 10 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Early Childhood Education Project (P145544) PHINDPDOTBL  Percentage of CCDG and MAT teachers receiving at least once annually performance feedback from ECE officers based on classroom observations (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 Date 31-Jul-2014 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 Comments This indicator is measured through the impact evaluation surveys and the 6 month monitoring visits of the survey firm hired by the Government in November 2017. Midline impact evaluation data collection is currently being implemented, with data expected to be available in March 2018. Monitoring visits data will be available in June/July 2018. PHINDPDOTBL  Percentage of children aged 3-5 in target CAC villages who were stimulated at home (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 55.00 55.00 55.00 75.00 Date 01-Apr-2016 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 Comments This indicator is measured through the impact evaluation surveys conducted by the firm hired by the Government in November 2017. Midline impact evaluation data collection is currently being implemented, with data expected to be available in March 2018. Endline data collection will be conducted at the end of the project. PHINDPDOTBL  Percentage of children aged 3-5 in CCDG and MAT target villages with an overall child development score above 0.6 (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 37.00 37.00 37.00 47.00 Date 01-Apr-2016 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 Comments This indicator is measured through the impact evaluation surveys conducted by the firm hired by the Government in November 2017. Midline impact evaluation data collection is currently being implemented, with data expected to be available in March 2018. Endline data collection will be conducted at the end of the project. 2/2/2018 Page 4 of 10 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Early Childhood Education Project (P145544) Overall Comments Intermediate Results Indicators PHINDIRITBL  Direct project beneficiaries (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 27,870.00 33,080.00 51,700.00 Date 31-Jul-2014 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 Comments The total number of beneficiaries (33080) includes: 6250 children enrolled in the 250 preprimary classrooms built so far under the project, 25111 children currently receiving school meals, 200 ethnic teachers that completed pre-service training supported by the project, 810 CAC facilitators trained and receiving incentives for delivering CAC sessions with communities, 146 CCDG caregivers receiving ongoing capacity support and incentives for running the CCDGs, 63 MAT teachers receiving ongoing in-service training The total number of beneficiaries (33080) excludes the number of children supported in the 130 CCDGs and MAT. The estimated number is between 2600 and 3300, data will be available in March 2018 when the midline impact evaluation data will become available. PHINDIRITBL  Female beneficiaries (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 44.00 44.00 50.00 2/2/2018 Page 5 of 10 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Early Childhood Education Project (P145544) PHINDIRITBL  Number of VEDC members trained in Community Awareness Campaign (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 810.00 810.00 810.00 Date 31-Jul-2014 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 PHINDIRITBL  Number of VHVs trained in Community Awareness Campaign (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 270.00 270.00 270.00 Date 31-Jul-2014 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 PHINDIRITBL  Number of fully furnished pre-primary classrooms with water and sanitation facilities constructed in target villages (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 250.00 250.00 550.00 Date 31-Jul-2014 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 PHINDIRITBL  Number of ethnic group pre-primary teachers receiving pre-service training (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 200.00 200.00 200.00 Date 31-Jul-2014 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 2/2/2018 Page 6 of 10 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Early Childhood Education Project (P145544) PHINDIRITBL  Number of pre-primary MAT teachers receiving in-service training (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 62.00 62.00 62.00 Date 31-Jul-2014 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 PHINDIRITBL  Number of CCDG caregivers receiving annual capacity building support (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 146.00 146.00 146.00 Date 31-Jul-2014 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 PHINDIRITBL  Number of children aged 3 to 5 years receiving disability screening (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 300.00 Date 31-Jul-2014 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 PHINDIRITBL  Number of community members having received CAC sessions on all seven CAC modules (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 4,590.00 4,590.00 Date 31-Jul-2014 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 Comments The current actual measurement is based on reports from DESB. However, the precise number for the current academic year will be known in June 2018 when field visits data will be collected and analyzed (based on the ongoing 6 months monitoring visits of the external monitoring firm). 2/2/2018 Page 7 of 10 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Early Childhood Education Project (P145544) PHINDIRITBL  Number of preprimary and primary students receiving meals prepared at school (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 26,430.00 25,111.00 24,000.00 Date 31-Jul-2014 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 Comments The actual (current) number is lower than the actual (previous) and higher than the end target due to significant demographic transition in the target communities. The school meals program covers all eligible children in the original schools. However, 9 schools were closed, hence the lower number of students. PHINDIRITBL  Number of CAC villages with established and used Toy Libraries (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 270.00 Date 31-Jul-2014 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 Comments Precise measurement will be available when the 6 month ongoing visits for the current academic year are completed in June 2018. PHINDIRITBL  Percentage of CCDG/MAT classrooms with educative toys and books accessible for children (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 Date 31-Jul-2014 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 Comments Precise measurement will be available when the midline impact evaluation data (March 2018) and the 6 month ongoing monitoring visits for the current academic year are completed (June 2018). 2/2/2018 Page 8 of 10 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Early Childhood Education Project (P145544) PHINDIRITBL  Percentage of target villages (except school lunch program) with playgrounds (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 100.00 Date 31-Jul-2014 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 PHINDIRITBL  Number of CCDG shelters constructed (Amount(USD), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 73.00 73.00 73.00 Date 31-Jul-2014 18-Apr-2017 15-Dec-2017 31-Jul-2019 Overall Comments Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed Disbursed P145544 IDA-53700 Effective USD 14.00 14.00 0.00 3.18 9.79 24% P145544 IDA-H9100 Effective USD 14.00 14.00 0.00 9.81 3.09 76% Key Dates (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P145544 IDA-53700 Effective 02-Apr-2014 14-May-2014 31-Jul-2014 31-Jul-2019 31-Jul-2019 P145544 IDA-H9100 Effective 02-Apr-2014 14-May-2014 31-Jul-2014 31-Jul-2019 31-Jul-2019 Cumulative Disbursements 2/2/2018 Page 9 of 10 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Early Childhood Education Project (P145544) Restructuring History Level 2 Approved on 18-May-2017 ,Level Approved on 18-Dec-2017 ,Level Approved on 19-Dec-2017 Related Project(s) There are no related projects. 2/2/2018 Page 10 of 10 Public Disclosure Copy