 Baku, September 24, 2008 – Today, Government of Azerbaijan and the World Bank signed Financing Agreement for a $25 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA) for the Second Education Sector Development Project in Azerbaijan. Agreement was signed by the Minister of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Misir Mardanov and World Bank Country Manager for Azerbaijan, Mr. Gregory Jedrzejczak. This Project is the second phase of a multi-year, multi-phase program. The first phase, now nearing completion, helped to prepare for implementation of Azerbaijan’s education reform by supporting the design of a new curriculum for primary and secondary education, development of textbook materials, new student assessment and evaluation methods, and teacher training programs. The second phase the program will assist in launching the reform by implementing the curriculum and related programs and systems developed under the first phase, with a view to strengthening both quality and efficiency.
 The Project consists of the following components:  Component 1. Supporting the Implementation of the General Education Curriculum and further  Curriculum Reforms: This overall objective is to successfully engage teachers, students, and education managers in the implementation of the new general education curriculum, and to develop new learning materials and school libraries.  Component 2. Modernizing In-Service Teacher Training: This component will support the education reform by modernizing in-service teacher training systems and practices, building on the institutional framework supported by the first phase of the program.  Component 3. Using Student Assessment for Education Quality Improvement: The objective of this component is to build up a new evaluation and assessment culture in Azerbaijan, which emphasizes not just standards and selection of the academically able, but a commitment to improving learning outcomes for all students. Assessment information will be made available in a user-friendly way to non-expert audiences, and feedback from assessment to reflected in policy making.  Component 4. Promoting School Readiness. The objective of this component is to increase the school readiness of children between 5 and 6 years of age, targeting rayons, where access to preschool institutions is severely restricted.  Component 5. Strengthening Education Policy Development and Management: The objective is to strengthen the capacity of education authorities to manage and implement education reforms.  Component 6. Project Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation: The objective is to support the coordination, administration, and monitoring of project activities.   Azerbaijan joined the World Bank in 1992. Since then, commitments to the country total over $2 billion for 45 operations.   |
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