The World Bank
Guyana Education Sector Program Project (P174244)
REPORT NO.: RES59822
RESTRUCTURING PAPER
ON A
PROPOSED PROJECT RESTRUCTURING
OF THE
GUYANA EDUCATION SECTOR PROGRAM PROJECT
APPROVED ON JUNE 17, 2021
TO THE
CO-OPERATIVE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA
March 13, 2024
EDUCATION
LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN
Regional Vice President: Carlos Felipe Jaramillo
Country Director: Lilia Burunciuc
Regional Director: Jaime Saavedra
Practice Manager/Manager: Emanuela Di Gropello
Task Team Leaders: Vincent Perrot, Lauren Justine Marston
The World Bank
Guyana Education Sector Program Project (P174244)
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
E&S Environmental and Social
EMIS Education Management Information System
FM Financial Management
GA Grant Agent
GESPP Guyana Education Sector Program Project
MoE Ministry of Education
MTR Mid-Term Review
PDO Project Development Objective
PIU Project Implementation Unit
The World Bank
Guyana Education Sector Program Project (P174244)
BASIC DATA
Product Information
Project ID Financing Instrument
P174244 Investment Project Financing
Environmental and Social Risk Classification (ESRC)
Moderate
Approval Date Current Closing Date
17-Jun-2021 30-Jun-2024
Organizations
Borrower Responsible Agency
Co-operative Republic of Guyana
Project Development Objective (PDO)
Original PDO
The objective of the Project is to: (i) improve learning conditions at the nursery level in select areas; (ii) increase use of
technology-assisted learning at the primary level in select areas, and (iii) improve functionality of the education
management information system nationally.
OPS_TABLE_PDO_CURRENTPDO
Summary Status of Financing (US$, Millions)
Net
Ln/Cr/Tf Approval Signing Effectiveness Closing Commitment Disbursed Undisbursed
TF-B5951 17-Jun-2021 02-Jul-2021 02-Jul-2021 30-Jun-2024 6.70 6.70 0
Policy Waiver(s)
Does this restructuring trigger the need for any policy waiver(s)?
No
The World Bank
Guyana Education Sector Program Project (P174244)
I. PROJECT STATUS AND RATIONALE FOR RESTRUCTURING
1. This Restructuring Paper seeks the approval of the Country Director on a Level Two Restructuring of the Guyana
Education Sector Program Project (GESPP, P174244). This is the first Restructuring of the Project and is based on the
findings from the Mid-Term Review held in January 2024. The Project is financed by a Global Partnership for Education
grant. The World Bank, selected as the Grant Agent for the Project, supports the Ministry of Education (MoE) in the
development, implementation, and monitoring of the Project, providing fiduciary and technical oversight and support
throughout its life. The restructuring proposes to (i) extend the Project closing date by nine (9) months, from June 30,
2024, to March 31, 2025; (ii) reallocate funds between components; (iii) modify some of the Project’s activities; (iii) revise
the results framework to align with the proposed revised closing date and changes to activities; and (iv) revise
disbursement and implementation schedules accordingly.
2. A formal request from the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), was
made on February 7, 2024, to address delays in implementation, ensure the completion of Project activities, and ensure
full achievement of the Project Development Objective (PDO).
A. Project Status
3. The Project was approved on June 17, 2021, and is scheduled to close on June 30, 2024. As of February 2023,
the Project has fully disbursed the total grant amount of US$6.70 million, but approximately US$2.4 million remains in the
Designated Account pending allocation. The PDO is to (i) improve learning conditions at the nursery level in select areas,
(ii) increase the use of technology-assisted learning at the primary level in select areas, and (iii) improve the functionality
of the education management information system nationally. These objectives remain relevant to the country’s context
and the Government’s priorities. The Project has three components: (i) Improving Learning Conditions at the Nursery level;
(ii) Promoting Technology-Assisted Learning at the Primary level; and (iii) Strengthening Institutional Capacity. The Project
remains compliant with all relevant legal covenants.
4. Progress towards the PDO and Overall Implementation Progress were rated Moderately Satisfactory in the
latest Implementation Status and Results Report, dated December 21, 2023, given that achieving the intended objectives
by the current closing date has been hampered by initial delays caused by the pandemic and difficulties in establishing a
full-fledged PIU, which impacted the Project’s early performance in terms of procurement, spending, and overall
execution. With the capacities of the PIU having been progressively strengthened, the main bottlenecks have been
resolved and implementation is expected to continue improving significantly.
5. While there has been some achievement across the PDO indicators, more time is needed to ensure the
completion of Project activities and achievement of the PDO. The Project experienced delays in documenting results
indicators, including PDO level indicators. As a result of the delayed implementation start, limited results were reported
in the results framework until recently. Specifically, while the PDO1 baseline was only made available in December 2023,
the baseline for the PDO indicator 2 is still pending tablets' first use. However, due to the supply chain issues mentioned
below, these were only delivered in February 2024. With the recent progress observed, the Project’s Results Framework
is expected to be fully documented and updated by mid-March once tablets have been distributed.
6. The Project experienced delays in key procurement activities. These delays, which hindered the ability to
complete critical processes within the timeframe envisaged at approval, were caused by the lengthy process of preparing
the procurement documents at an early stage of Project implementation, caused by delays in receiving and validating
technical, environmental, and social safeguard inputs. Furthermore, supply chain issues (essentially linked to delays in the
The World Bank
Guyana Education Sector Program Project (P174244)
Panama Canal) negatively impacted activities, specifically the delivery of tablets (Component 2), thereby delaying their
distribution to schools and, correspondingly, the training of teachers.
Progress by Component
7. Component 1: Improving Learning Conditions at the Nursery level (US$2.3 million). The rollout of the Nursery
curriculum through the training of classroom teachers in the 102 pilot schools is ongoing. The TEACH Early Childhood
Development tool, data collection, and analysis are ongoing, with the fifth and sixth rounds of observation expected to be
completed by February and May 2024, respectively. Regarding learning materials, 44,000 textbooks have been procured
and distributed to nursery schools in the identified regions, and more are expected to be distributed with additional
learning materials by mid-2024. However, there has been no progress on the “parenting circles” activity nor the associated
training and logistics because this is no longer an area of high priority for the MoE. That said, the communication campaign
targeted at caregivers has commenced, with 15,000 brochures and posters printed and given to the Ministry of Human
Services and subsequently distributed to preschools and other areas of high-traffic social interactions. Materials were also
given to the Ministry of Health, which, in turn, distributed them to health posts and centers, especially in the antenatal
and child health clinics.
8. Component 2: Promoting Technology-Assisted Learning at the Primary level (US$2.5 million). 7,250 tablets with
detachable keyboards have been purchased and will be equipped with IXL, a learning software to support selected Grade
4 students on mathematics and literacy. The training of teachers on the software and distribution of tablets to selected
schools has been delayed due to the aforementioned supply chain issues, but it is still expected to start by late March
2024. There has been progress regarding the smart classrooms to support learning, and two have been installed in
Enterprise Primary and Kuru Kururu Primary. The remaining eight are expected to be completed by April 2024. While the
materials (procured by the Project) are available for the ten classrooms, current delays in the installation of the remaining
depend on the preparation of the classrooms (to be financed by the MoE), which is ongoing but is progressing slower than
initially planned, despite close follow-up with MoE relevant services.
9. Component 3: Strengthening Institutional Capacity (US$ 1.9 million). The official launch of the national education
management information system (EMIS) pilot phase with connectivity for primary and secondary schools occurred in
October 2023, despite initial delays. Across the 547 selected schools, 1,148 tablets have been delivered, and teacher
training on the usage of the system has begun and will continue. Moving forward, the actual use of the EMIS at the central
and decentralized levels will be monitored.
10. Financial Management (FM). Overall, adequate FM arrangements are in place and compliance with the Bank’s
requirements, as confirmed in the 2024 implementation support mission. The Project complies with FM covenants,
including those related to audits and reporting requirements. There are no outstanding audit reports and FM performance
is satisfactory.
11. Environmental and Social (E&S). The proposed changes will not lead to new E&S risks; therefore, there is no
change to the risk classification or update to the Project’s E&S instruments.
B. Rationale for Restructuring
12. The proposed restructuring would allow sufficient time to complete Project activities and document results.
Due to the delays detailed in the previous section, completing key activities under Components 1 and 2—provision of
learning materials and tablets to support students with mathematics and literacy—would not be feasible by the current
closing date of June 30, 2024.
The World Bank
Guyana Education Sector Program Project (P174244)
13. Despite these initial delays, the Project’s activities and PDO remain relevant, closely aligned with government
priorities, and achievable with revisions and within the proposed extension period. There is a strong demand from
teachers and communities to provide nursery students with the necessary learning materials and to integrate technology
into schools to enhance learning. To minimize future delays in preparing procurement documents, the Bank hired a Hands-
on Expanded Implementation Support consultant to support the PIU in expediting procurement processes at critical
stages. The PIU is expected to improve its performance further with enhanced human resources and extended time,
making the PDO achievable within the proposed extension period.
14. The proposed restructuring will also allow a reallocation of funds to reflect the MoE’s revised priorities and
reflect updated project costs, a scale-up of selected activities, and an adjustment of the results framework to reflect
the proposed changes. These changes, together with the extension, will enable the Project to achieve its objectives and
scale up subcomponents to benefit additional schools and students across more regions. Funds previously allocated to
subcomponent 1.3 (parenting circles activity) will be reallocated to subcomponent 1.2 for the purchase of additional
learning materials to support the rollout of the renewed nursery. Further, unanticipated savings from purchasing the
tablets will be reallocated to Component 3 to support the purchase of additional EMIS tablets (subcomponent 3.1), in
support of the MoE making the rollout of the EMIS across schools nationally a high priority. These changes will thus need
to be reflected in the associated indicators in the Project’s Results Framework.
15. During a Mid-Term Review and Implementation Support Mission carried out from January 22-26, 2024, the PIU
presented a revised timeline for the Project. The Bank reviewed the Project’s revised Work Plan (including the key
elements presented below and related to construction) for the remaining implementation period, including the updated
disbursement schedule and estimates, and found it to be satisfactory.
II. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED CHANGES
16. Extension of the Closing Date. The Project’s closing date will be extended by nine months, from June 30, 2024, to
March 31, 2025.
17. Adjustment of Activities and Revision of Component Costs. Funds will be reallocated across components to
reflect changes in priorities, costs, and the extent of activities. These changes are described below.
i. Component 1. Improving Learning Conditions at the Nursery level (current amount: US$2,285,360, no change).
While the total amount for the Component will not change, funds will be reallocated across subcomponents.
Specifically, US$264,311 in unused funds from subcomponent 1.3 for the canceled parenting circles activity will
be reallocated to subcomponent 1.2. Financing for subcomponent 1.2 will, therefore, be increased from
US$540,000 to US$804,311 to increase the number of learning materials purchased and target a new region for
the receipt of learning materials (Region 2). Further, the extension will allow a scale-up in the training of teachers
to support the revised curriculum (subcomponent 1.1), extending targeting to education districts in Regions 3, 4,
6, 10 and Georgetown.
ii. Component 2. Promoting Technology-Assisted Learning at the Primary level (current amount: US$2,534,360,
proposed new amount: US$1,724,360). Due to a lower-than-anticipated cost of tablets purchased to support
mathematics and literacy, US$810,000 in savings from subcomponent 2.1 will be reallocated to subcomponent
3.1 to purchase and distribute additional tablets to more schools to aid in the rollout of EMIS. Specifically, the
The World Bank
Guyana Education Sector Program Project (P174244)
number of schools receiving tablets for EMIS will be upwardly revised from 574 to 1,000. The movement will not
impact the related indicator, which is expected to be achieved.
iii. Component 3. Strengthening Institutional Capacity (current amount: US$1,880,280, proposed new amount:
US$2,690,280). The cost for this Component will be increased to reflect a reallocation of savings from Component
2 to purchase additional tablets for rolling out the EMIS.
18. Revision of the Results Framework. The end target date for all indicators will be changed from June 30, 2024, to
March 31, 2025, with intermediate targets to be achieved in 2024 (in addition to 2023) to reflect the extension of the
closing date and the revised implementation schedule.
19. Changes to PDO-level indicator targets and definitions.
Current PDO-level Proposed change(s) in the indicator and/or in the Rationale for change
Indicator definition
PDO 1: Percentage of The baseline will be changed from 0.00 to The target for this indicator will be
school teachers meeting 46.33 percent and the end target from 20 to revised to reflect the availability of
standards in student- 70 percent. the baseline and first intermediate
centered teaching practices The definition has been revised to "The results, given that the end target
at the nursery level percentage of observed nursery teachers using determined during project design
the Teach ECE instrument that scored 3 and when no baseline was available is
higher in Guided Learning (average of too low.
Facilitation of Learning, Checks for The definition of this indicator
Understanding, Feedback, and Critical originally specified the selected
Thinking)." TEACH standards and will be revised
to clarify how progress on the
indicator should be monitored.
PDO 2: Percentage of The definition of this indicator will be revised The definition of this indicator
students using educational to “Percentage of students who received specified that the ‘exact number of
technology at the primary tablets and used the software for a minimum hours actively logged on’ was to be
level of 4 hours per week.” determined in the first year of use,
and so it will be revised to include
the usage to clarify how progress on
the indicator should be monitored.
PDO 3: Number of visitors This indicator’s definition will be revised to The definition will be revised for
to the EMIS monitoring “The monitoring dashboard will function as a clarity to specify the expected
dashboard data collection and storage system for outputs of the EMIS monitoring
education-related data, including but not dashboard.
limited to, attendance, progression, grades, Since the dashboard will initially be
etc. It should facilitate the efficient output of available only to schools and staff
useful data visualizations—including graphs within the MoE, the end target of
and statistical reports—to facilitate 300 visitors will remain as is and will
knowledge-sharing and evidence-based be captured through dashboard
decision-making to improve education analytics.
planning.”
20. Changes to Intermediate Results Indicators (IRIs).
The World Bank
Guyana Education Sector Program Project (P174244)
Current Intermediate- Proposed change(s) in the IRI and/or in the Rationale for change
Results Indicator definition
IRI 2: Number of students The indicator and definition will be amended The definition of this indicator will
at nursery level in Region 1, for clarity specify the inclusion of textbooks as
7, 8, and 9 that have Name will be revised to ‘Number of students part of the learning materials to
received learning material at nursery level in Regions 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9 that ensure clarity
have received textbooks or learning Region 2 will be added, given that it
equipment’ is an area with a high Indigenous
population and includes riverine
communities, in keeping with the
focus of the subcomponent’s
activities
IRI 3: Number of caregivers Indicator to be deleted Indicator deleted to reflect the
trained in Regions 1 and 7 cancellation of the activity
IRI 8: Number of schools Will be upwardly revised from 574 schools to Target increased to reflect the scale-
that can upload data into 1,000 up of this activity and increased
EMIS funding
IRI 10: Gender parity index Will be revised for accuracy; specifically, the The end target will be changed from
in math scores in the baseline will be changed from 0 to 1 and, the -2 to 0.98 to reflect desired changes
technology-assisted pilot end target will be changed from -2 to 0.98, and given current parity levels
schools intermediate targets will be revised
accordingly
21. Revision of Disbursement Estimates and Implementation Schedule. Disbursement estimates will be revised to
reflect disbursement to date and projections for the revised implementation period. The implementation schedule will
also be modified per the revised closing date.
III. SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Changed Not Changed
Results Framework ✔
Components and Cost ✔
Loan Closing Date(s) ✔
Disbursement Estimates ✔
Implementation Schedule ✔
Implementing Agency ✔
DDO Status ✔
Project's Development Objectives ✔
PBCs ✔
Cancellations Proposed ✔
Reallocation between Disbursement Categories ✔
The World Bank
Guyana Education Sector Program Project (P174244)
Disbursements Arrangements ✔
Overall Risk Rating ✔
Legal Covenants ✔
Institutional Arrangements ✔
Financial Management ✔
Procurement ✔
Other Change(s) ✔
Economic and Financial Analysis ✔
Technical Analysis ✔
Social Analysis ✔
Environmental Analysis ✔
IV. DETAILED CHANGE(S)
OPS_DETAILEDCHANGES_COMPONENTS_TABLE
COMPONENTS
Current
Current Proposed Proposed
Cost Action
Component Name Component Name Cost (US$M)
(US$M)
Improving Learning Conditions at Improving Learning Conditions
2.30 Revised 2.29
the Nursery level at the Nursery level
Promoting Technology-
Promoting Technology-Assisted
2.50 Revised Assisted Learning at the 1.72
Learning at the Primary level
Primary level
Strengthening Institutional Strengthening Institutional
Capacity and Project 1.90 Revised Capacity and Project 2.69
Management Management
TOTAL 6.70 6.70
OPS_DETAILEDCHANGES_LOANCLOSING_TABLE
The World Bank
Guyana Education Sector Program Project (P174244)
LOAN CLOSING DATE(S)
Original Revised Proposed Proposed Deadline
Ln/Cr/Tf Status Closing Closing(s) Closing for Withdrawal
Applications
TF-B5951 Effective 30-Jun-2024 31-Mar-2025 31-Jul-2025
OPS_DETAILEDCHANGES_DISBURSEMENT_TABLE
DISBURSEMENT ESTIMATES
Change in Disbursement Estimates
Yes
Year Current Proposed
2021 0.00 0.00
2022 783,015.60 1,199,041.00
2023 2,059,827.90 3,113,122.09
2024 3,857,156.50 2,387,836.91
.
The World Bank
Guyana Education Sector Program Project (P174244)
.
Results framework
COUNTRY: Guyana
Guyana Education Sector Program Project
Project Development Objectives(s)
The objective of the Project is to: (i) improve learning conditions at the nursery level in select areas; (ii) increase use of technology-assisted learning at the
primary level in select areas, and (iii) improve functionality of the education management information system nationally.
Project Development Objective Indicators by Objectives/ Outcomes
RESULT_FRAME_TBL_PDO
Indicator Name PBC Baseline Intermediate Targets End Target
1 2
Improve learning conditions at the nursery level
Percentage of school teachers meeting
standards in student-centered teaching
46.33 54.00 62.00 70.00
practices at the nursery level
(Percentage)
Rationale:
Definition has been revised to "The percentage of observed nursery teachers using the Teach ECE instrument that scored 3 and higher in Guided
Action: This indicator has been Revised
Learning (average of Facilitation of Learning, Checks for Understanding, Feedback, and Critical Thinking)."
Increase use of technology-assisted learning at the primary level
Percentage of students using educational
technology at the primary level 0.00 20.00 40.00 60.00
(Percentage)
Rationale:
Action: This indicator has been Revised Definition revised to "Percentage of students who received tablets and used the software for a minimum of 4 hours per week."
Improve functionality of education management system nationally.
The World Bank
Guyana Education Sector Program Project (P174244)
RESULT_FRAME_TBL_PDO
Indicator Name PBC Baseline Intermediate Targets End Target
1 2
Number of visitors to EMIS monitoring
0.00 100.00 200.00 300.00
dashboard (Number)
Rationale:
Definition revised to "The monitoring dashboard will function as a data collection and storage system for education-related data, including but not
Action: This indicator has been Revised limited to, attendance, progression, grades, etc. It should facilitate the efficient output of useful data visualizations—including graphs and
statistical reports—to facilitate knowledge-sharing and evidence-based decision-making to improve education planning"
PDO Table SPACE
Intermediate Results Indicators by Components
RESULT_FRAME_TBL_IO
Indicator Name PBC Baseline Intermediate Targets End Target
1 2
Improving Learning Conditions at the Nursery level
Number of teachers trained at nursery
0.00 1,000.00 1,500.00 2,200.00
level (Number)
Action: This indicator has been Revised
Number of students at nursery level in
Regions 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9 that have
0.00 1,000.00 3,000.00 5,000.00
received textbooks or learning
equipment (Number)
Action: This indicator has been Revised
Number of caregivers trained in Regions
0.00 60.00 100.00 150.00
1 and 7 (Number)
Action: This indicator has been Marked
for Deletion
The World Bank
Guyana Education Sector Program Project (P174244)
RESULT_FRAME_TBL_IO
Indicator Name PBC Baseline Intermediate Targets End Target
1 2
Promoting Technology-Assisted Learning at the Primary level
Number of students at primary level
provided with tablets equipped with 0.00 2,000.00 4,000.00 7,250.00
learning software (Number)
Action: This indicator has been Revised
Number of teachers trained in use of
0.00 100.00 200.00 300.00
tablets (Number)
Action: This indicator has been Revised
Number of smart classrooms to support
0.00 5.00 7.00 10.00
learning established (Number)
Action: This indicator has been Revised
Number of teachers trained in use of
0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00
smart classrooms (Number)
Action: This indicator has been Revised
Strengthening Institutional Capacity and Project Management
Number of schools that can upload data
0.00 120.00 300.00 1,000.00
into EMIS (Number)
Action: This indicator has been Revised
Statistical Report on primary and
secondary level data produced using the 0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00
EMIS data. (Number)
Action: This indicator has been Revised
Gender parity index in math scores in the
technology-assisted pilot schools 1.00 0.99 0.98 0.98
(percentage points) (Text)
The World Bank
Guyana Education Sector Program Project (P174244)
RESULT_FRAME_TBL_IO
Indicator Name PBC Baseline Intermediate Targets End Target
1 2
Action: This indicator has been Revised
Students benefiting from direct
interventions to enhance learning (CRI, 0.00 3,000.00 7,000.00 12,250.00
Number)
Action: This indicator has been Revised
Students benefiting from direct
interventions to enhance learning - 0.00 1,500.00 3,500.00 6,125.00
Female (CRI, Number)
Action: This indicator has been
Revised
Survey of participant satisfaction
administered, and feedback addressed No Yes Yes Yes
(Yes/No)
Action: This indicator has been Revised
Direct beneficiaries (Number) 0.00 4,100.00 8,700.00 14,750.00
Action: This indicator has been Revised
Direct female beneficiaries (Percentage) 0.00 50.00 50.00 50.00
Action: This indicator has been Revised
IO Table SPACE
The World Bank
Guyana Education Sector Program Project (P174244)