World Bank gives US $20 million for education

Executive directors of the World Bank have approved a US $20-million grant, that will be drawn from its International Development Association, to revamp the war-ravaged educational sector in the Republic of the Congo. "Congo's three civil conflicts have left the education system in crisis," the World Bank said in a statement issued on Thursday, following the announcement by its executive directors. "Enrolment rates have fallen," the Bank said. "In comparison to other sub-Saharan African countries public spending on education has been low for the past eight years." The 'Support to Basic Education Project' will aim to improve efficiency in the allocation and management of resources as well as improve the quality of the services. Approximately $8.5 million of project funds will help to rehabilitate school buildings that were damaged or deteriorated during the war. The money will also be used for school materials. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will receive technical aid to improve planning, implementation and monitoring, the Bank said. In addition, heads of schools will receive training in administration. School inspectorates will receive new equipment, and primary and junior secondary teachers will be retrained and receive new teaching aids and textbooks. The project will also finance non-formal education and training opportunities for children 14 to 18 years old. "The provision of a better quality of education is a strategic action for generating a skilled labour force," Adriana Jaramillo, the World Bank task team leader for the project, said.