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17 December 2003
World Bank Supports Education Reform in FYR Macedonia
$5 million to help decentralize school system
The World Bank on December 16 approved a $5 million loan for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to help the government implement educational reforms.
The Macedonia Education Modernization Project has two main components. One is designed to strengthen the management and administration of schools at the local level, including improving teacher competence and monitoring the use of school funds. The second component is designed to improve the strategic planning and accountability functions of a newly decentralized education system.
Following is a press release with details:
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World Bank
Washington, D.C.
www.worldbank.org
MACEDONIA: WORLD BANK SUPPORTS EDUCATION MODERNIZATION
WASHINGTON, December 16, 2003--The World Bank today approved a US$5 million IBRD loan for the Macedonia Education Modernization Project. The project will assist the government in its efforts to improve the quality of learning and efficiency for a decentralized education system.
Education in Macedonia has long been a source of strength for the country. But the transition to a market economy and the process of decentralization of power puts forward the need to create new competencies and capabilities at different levels of education administration and management. The Education Modernization Project will address these needs by improving the quality of learning and school effectiveness, and by empowering schools and communities to take on school-level management.
"Everyone agrees that quality education is one of the most important factors in reduction of unemployment, while at the same time being one of the main pillars of the decentralization process," said Peter Darvas, head of the World Bank team designing the project. "This operation will build the planning and management capacity of the schools, helping them to adapt to the new environment."
The project aims to improve school-based learning and attendance at the local level, and to empower schools and school communities to strengthen school level planning and management. It will build systems and capacity to operate in a decentralized education system, including improving strategic planning, management, and monitoring.
The Education Modernization project has two main components:
School Level Planning and Incentives: The primary objective of this component is to strengthen capacities of school level management and administration as well as school board participation to improve attainment and quality, plan, manage and monitor local use of funds, support school based initiatives, improve teacher competence, and monitor outcomes.
Education Decentralization: The primary objective of this component is to build systems and capacity to operate a decentralized education system, including improving strategic planning, management, and monitoring and accountability procedures in the education sector.
The Education Modernization Project has a maturity of 17 years, including a five-year grace period.
Macedonia joined the World Bank in 1994. Since then, commitments to the country total more than US$600 million.
For more information about the World Bank's work in Macedonia: http://www.worldbank.org.mk
Contacts:
In Skopje - Denis Boskovski, 389 2 117 159, dboskovski@worldbank.org
In Washington - Miriam Van Dyck, (202) 458-2931, mvandyck@worldbank.org
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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
