Education Reform Program

                                    BOLIVIA


SECTOR:               Education

PROJECT NAME:         Education Reform Program
                      (931/SF-BO; ATN/SF-4718-BO)
                      
TOTAL COST:           $204.2  million

FINANCING:
       IDB            $ 80.0  million
WORLD BANK            $ 40.0  million
     LOCAL            $ 45.4  million
     OTHER            $ 38.8  million     (Germany, The Netherlands and Sweden)

DATE OF APPROVAL:     November 16, 1994

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:  The Bolivian government has proposed a twenty-year
                      Education Reform Program to establish an efficient and
                      equitable system of education which would provide 100
                      percent coverage at primary and secondary levels and
                      offer the range of scientific, technical/vocational
                      and higher education opportunities needed to meet the
                      nation's demand for skilled manpower.

                      The program objectives are to: (a) increase the
                      efficiency and equity of the education system;
                      (b) support pedagogical, legal and administrative reforms
                      to remove obstacles to change and improve efficiency; and
                      (c) support an investment program that will equip
                      disadvantaged students with the resources and guidance
                      they need to succeed academically.

                      The program will support administrative and education
                      reforms by financing: (a) institutional strengthening
                      of the education system; (b) improvement in pedagogical
                      quality; and (c) program support and monitoring.

                      While improvements to the institutional framework will
                      directly benefit all non-university level education
                      systems, quality improvement interventions will focus
                      on the primary level.

CONSULTANTS:          The technical assistance program will include
                      approximately 150 activities/consultancies covering:
                      (a) training and orientation for community organizations
                      and parents; (b) establishment of an education management
                      information system; (c) incorporation of community
                      participation in administration; (d) development of a
                      core curriculum for grades 1 through 8; (e) development,
                      production and distribution of textbooks, materials,
                      computers and teachers' guides; (f) development of an
                      education assessment program; and (g) program support
                      and monitoring.

GOODS AND EQUIPMENT:  The Secretaría Nacional de Educación (SNE)
                      will issue calls for international bidding for the
                      procurement of teaching modules, equipment, teaching
                      materials and school furniture.  Local and international
                      firms will be hired to distribute them.

EXECUTING AGENCY:     Secretaría Nacional de Educación (SNE)
                      Avenida Arce 2408
                      La Paz, Bolivia
                      Telephone:    (591-2) 371-311
                      Fax:          (591-2) 378-756