BA0009 : Education Sector Enhancement Program

Project Description

The program will help the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Culture (MEC) implement reforms in curriculum, pedagogy, teaching practices and assessment mechanisms. The five components are: (a) school rehabilitation; (b) technological infrastructure; (c) human resource development and training; (d) curriculum reform and evaluation; and (e) program management and technical assistance to achieve institutional strengthening. The first component will finance the rehabilitation of all existing primary and secondary school plants including: (a) the development of computer laboratories; (b) electrical upgrading and wiring; (c) the provision of "dust-free" environments; (d) protection systems for hardware and software; and (e) furniture. Other extensive structural repairs will include: (a) plumbing; (b) existing roofs; (c) floors and windows; and (d) sanitary blocks. The technological infrastructure component funds computerization of all primary and secondary schools, including classrooms, computer laboratories, staff rooms, libraries and offices, and newly-created "media centers" in each classroom. The human resource component, involves training teachers in: (a) child-centered teaching; (b) information technology (IT) skills; (c) the integration of technology into the teaching process; and (d) technology management, program management and school administration. The program finances: (a) 360 hours per teacher of formal training, workshops, classroom training, and the development of learning materials for teachers; (b) 50-150 hours per teacher of training and materials for MEC and school administrative, library and secretarial staff; (c) continuous training at the school level; (d) study tours; and (e) specialized training for information technology coordinators. Before full-scale program implementation, some 60 professionals, including education officers, tutors, audio-visual aids officers and representatives from each of the 15 demonstration schools, will receive 360 hours of training as "school coaches" and "subject-matter coaches." It should be noted that international consultants have already delivered the first training session, as well as provided general guidelines for the Master Plan for Technology Integration and Training. Curricular reform and evaluation component activities will include: (a) establishment of a Software Review Center (SRC) and the systematic integration of software into the classroom; (b) establishment of a National Educational Evaluation Center in conjunction with the School of Education at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus; (c) comprehensive reform of the national curriculum and introduction of new content areas related to IT; and (d) development of new strategies for teaching and learning that maximize the options offered by IT and facilitate a sustained shift in pedagogy. The program management and technical assistance component will support: (a) full operation of the Program Coordination Unit; (b) two external evaluations; (c) the design and supervision of all civil works activities; and (d) local and international technical assistance.

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* For active and closed projects, the IDB financing at Board approval is shown in US$ millions. This does not reflect any cancellations. For projects in Preparation the amount shown is the Estimated IDB Financing. Approved projects shows either Estimated IDB Financing or Historic Approved amount. The IDB financing for projects in the pipeline is indicative and may be modified during the project preparation.

BA0009 : Education Sector Enhancement Program

BA0009 : Education Sector Enhancement Program

BA0009 : Education Sector Enhancement Program

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BA0009 : Education Sector Enhancement Program

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