Project Name: SECOND EDUCATION REFORM PROJECT

Country: TAJIKISTAN

Source of Financing: ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Reference No.: PROJECT PREPARATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: TAJ-37556-01

Project Info:

Objectives and Scope

The TA will assist the Government in review and update national sector policies, and analyze sector needs and action plans. It will assess the achievements, progress under the ESRP and projects funded by other donors. Specific TA activities will include (i) identifying key medium and longer term reform measures and assessing policy alternatives; (ii) reviewing sector policy documents, strategies and action plans to address priorities and investment needs; and (iii) preparing a detailed feasibility study with costings to support the project design. The TA team will analyze current education sector expenditures and make recommendations to improve system efficiency of resource allocation and utilization, and review a mid-term expenditure framework for the education sector, prioritizing functions by capital and recurrent expenditures. These activities will lay the groundwork for initiating a SWAp. The TA will focus on three principal areas: 1. Sustainability of School Facilities, 2. Curriculum, Textbooks, and Learning Materials, 3. Learning Assessment and Teacher Development

Consulting Services

Implementation of the technical assistance will require 10 person-months of international consulting services and 34 person-months of domestic consulting services. The team of consultants will comprise the following: (i) education economist/planner (team leader) (international); (ii) education finance specialist/economist (domestic); (iii) curriculum, textbooks and learning materials specialists (international, domestic); (iv) learning assessment and teacher development specialists (international, domestic); (v) civil engineer (domestic); (vi) poverty/gender specialist (domestic).

Project Processing Stage

Fact-Finding Mission Completed: 19 March 2006