GPE GRANT NUMBER TFOB5223 Global Partnership for Education Grant Agreement (Education Sector Plan Support Project) between CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC and INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT (acting as Grant Agent for the Global Partnership for Education Fund) GPE GRANT NUMBER TFOB5223 Global Partnership for Education GRANT AGREEMENT AGREEMENT dated as of the Signature Date between the Central African Republic ("Recipient") and the INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVLOPMENT ("Bank"), acting as Grant Agent for the Global Partnership for Education Fund. The Recipient and the Bank hereby agree as follows: Article I Standard Conditions; Definitions 1.01. The Standard Conditions (as defined in the Appendix to this Agreement) apply to and form part of this Agreement. 1.02. Unless the context requires otherwise, the capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the meanings ascribed to them in the Standard Conditions or in the Appendix this Agreement. Article II The Project 2.01. The Recipient declares its commitment to the objectives of the project described in Schedule I to this Agreement ("Project"). To this end, the Recipient shall carry out the Project, through its ministry responsible for education (MPSE), in accordance with the provisions of Article II of the Standard Conditions and Schedule 2 to this Agreement. Article II The Grant 3.01. The Bank agrees to extend to the Recipient a grant in an amount not to exceed Thirty million and eight hundred fifty thousand United States Dollars ($30,850,000) ("Grant") to assist in financing the Project. 3.02. The Recipient may withdraw the proceeds of the Grant in accordance with Section III of Schedule 2 to this Agreement. 3.03. The Grant is funded out of the abovementioned trust fund for which the Bank receives periodic contributions from the donors to the trust fund. In accordance with Section 3.02 of the Standard Conditions, the Bank's payment obligations in connection with this Agreement are limited to the amount of funds made available to it by the donors under the abovementioned trust fund, and the Recipient's right to withdraw the Grant -2- Article IV Effectiveness; Termination 4.01. This Agreement shall not become effective until evidence satisfactory to the Bank has been furnished to the Bank that the following condition, namely, that: (a) This Agreement has been executed and delivered and all conditions precedent to its effectiveness or to the right of the Recipient to make withdrawals under it (other than the effectiveness of this Agreement) have been fulfilled- (b) As part of the evidence to be furnished pursuant to Section 4.01(a) of this Agreement, there shall be furnished to the Bank an opinion or opinions satisfactory to the Bank of counsel acceptable to the Bank or, if the Bank so requests, a certificate satisfactory to the Bank of a competent official of the Member Country, showing that on behalf of the Recipient, that this Agreement has been duly authorized or ratified by, and executed and delivered on its behalf and is legally binding upon it in accordance with its terms. (c) The Recipient shall update and thereafter adopt a Project Operations Manual (POM), with conditions and contents acceptable to the Bank. (d) The Recipient shall recruit and thereafter maintain a G3V/SEA/SH Specialist and a social safeguard specialist; both with qualifications, experience and terms of reference satisfactory to the Bank. 4.02. Except as the Recipient and the Bank shall otherwise agree, this Agreement shall enter into effect on the date upon which the Bank dispatches to the Recipient notice of its acceptance of the evidence required pursuant to Section 5.01 ("Effective Date"). If, before the Effective Date, any event has occurred which would have entitled the Bank to suspend the right of the Recipient to make withdrawals from the Grant Account if this Agreement had been effective, the Bank may postpone the dispatch of the notice referred to in this Section until such event (or events) has (or have) ceased to exist. 4.03. The Effectiveness Deadline is the date ninety (90) days after the Signature Date. -3- Article V Recipient's Representative;. Addresses 5.0). The Recipient's Representative referred to in Section 7.02 of the Standard Conditions is its minister in charge of economy, planning and international cooperation. 5.02. For purposes of Section 7.01 of the Standard Conditions: (a) the Recipient's address is: Rue Martin Luther King B.P. 696 Bangui Republique Centrafricaine; and (b) the Recipient's Electronic Address is: Facsimile: +236 21 61 73 87 5.03. For purposes of Section 7.01 of the Standard Conditions: (a) the Bank's address is: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and International Development Association 18] 8 H Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20433 United States of America; and (b) the Bank's Electronic Address is: Telex: Facsimile: 248423 (MCI) or 1-202-477-6391 64145 (MCI) -4- AGREED as of the Signature Date. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC By uthorized Representative Name: Title: Date: ( L/ INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT (acting as Grant Agent for the Global Partnership for Education Fund) By Name: i'-4 L ~C~ K Title: Z-/. ' Date: ( r / -5- SCHEDULE 1 Project Description The objectives of the Project are to improve access and quality of pre-primary and basic education and strengthen education system management and resilience. The Project consists of the following parts: Part 1. Improving Access to Pre-primary, Primary and Lower Secondary Education A. Increasing the physical capacity of school infrastructure at the pre- primaryi primary and lower secondary education in Targeted Areas, through inter alia: (i) development of technical and costing studies with the objective of setting construction standards and modalities; (ii) the provision of Subgrants to eligible schools (Selected Schools) to carry out construction and provision of furniture, and school supplies in pre-primary and primary classrooms in Selected Schools (Construction Subprojects); (iii) the construction/ rehabilitation and provision of furniture, and school supplies of selected classrooms in selected lower secondary schools to support improved access to and increased transition rates from primary to secondary education, especially for girls; (iv) the construction/rehabilitation and provision of furniture, and school supplies of classrooms in existing overcrowded secondary schools; and (v) provision of relevant Training and capacity building activities. B. Supporting the Recipient's accelerated learning programs (ALPs), through inter alia: (i) identification and selection of schools and eligible students for the ALP program; (ii) carrying out awareness campaigns to encourage education for all children, including marginalized groups; (iii) the recruitment and Training of teachers to deliver the ALPs; (iv) organization of ALP classrooms in selected areas; (v) the provision of Subgrants to Selected Schools to supervise the attendance of teachers and children in the ALP classrooms, as well as carrying out activities to support children's integration in the formal school system (ALP Subprojects); (vi) pedagogical support; and (vii) carrying out of capacity building activities to the emergency unit and school inspectorates officials. Part 2. Improving the Quality of Education and Pre-service and In-service Teacher Training A. Supporting the introduction of Sango, through means of technical assistance, including inter alia: (i) the development of pedagogical guides, instructional materials, and scripted lessons for teachers; (ii) distribution -6- books and read-aloud books to ensure ample opportunities for reading practice; (iii) piloting Sango as a language of instruction in selected public and private schools in inspectorates covering Bangui, and Ouham; and (iv) provision of capacity building activities and Training for key stakeholders; (v) carrying out a communications strategy and awareness campaign to promote Sango; and (vi) carrying out an evaluation of the pilot under 2.A(iii) above to monitor learning and compare students' performance between schools that use Sango and those that use French as the language of instruction. B. Supporting remedial programs to promote the acquisition of reading proficiency and mathematics, including through: (i) the rolling out of the program in two selected school inspectorates; (ii) Training of teachers and school principals to deliver remedial programs; and (ii) the provision of Subgrants to Selected Schools to ensure student and teacher presence in remedial programs as well as carrying out activities to provide learning and instruction materials (Remedial Program Subprojects). C. Increasing the capacity of teacher training and improving pre-service Training, through inter alia: (i) the construction of a new teacher training center (JT ) and the transformation of three existing TTCs; (ii) the transformation of the existing primary teacher training college (TTCO); (iii) putting in place an entrance exam of teachers (pre-primary, primary and lower secondary) at TTCs and TTCOs, including the implementation of a quota to recruit more female teachers; (iv) provision of Training of teacher trainers once a year to implement the new harmonized curricula currently under preparation ; (v) provision of required equipment to TTCs and TTCOs resource centers and learning materials (e.g., scripted lessons pre-recorded on e-readers) to support implementation of the new harmonized curricula; and (vi) support curricula development for versatile high-school teachers by providing technical assistance and Training. D. Improving the quality of in-service training and teaching practices in primary schools, including through: (i) the Training of selected public primary teachers and school principals; (ii) financing the associated supervision costs by school inspectorate officials; and (iii) the printing of Training teaching guides, classroom materials and scripted lessons pre- loaded on e-readers when feasible. Part 3. Strengthening Overall Eduetion System Management and Resilience A. Strengthening selected critical systems for better management including the HR system, the Education Management Information System, National Learning Assessment System, and the Resilience and Responsiveness to -7- Emergency or Crisis Situations System, all through the provision of required technical assistance, Training and goods. B. Project Management, coordination, supervision, financial management, procurement, communication and outreach, supervision of implementation of the social and environmental standards, monitoring and evaluation. Part 4. Contingent Emergency Response Component Providing immediate response to an Eligible Crisis or Emergency, as needed -8- SCHEDULE 2 Project Execution Section . Institutional and Other Arranp_ements A. Institutional Arrangements. 1. Project Coordination Unit (a) To facilitate the day- to- day implementation of Project activities, MPSE shall maintain at all times during the implementation of the Project within MPSE, the Project Coordination Unit ("PCU") with a composition, mandate, staffing and other resources satisfactory to the Bank, all in accordance with the provisions of the Project Operations Manual. (b) The Recipient, through the MPSE, shall no later than six (6) months after the Effectiveness Date, recruit and thereafter maintain an external auditor, with terms of reference and qualifications, satisfactory to the Bank. (c) The Recipient, through the MPSE, shall no later than three (3) months after the Effectiveness Date, acquire and thereafter maintain an accounting system, satisfactory to the Bank. 2. Steering Committee (a) In order to ensure the proper oversight of the Project and coordination among the Recipient's ministries and agencies involved in the Project, the Recipient shall, no later than three (3) months after the Effective Date, establish, and thereafter maintain throughout Project implementation, with terms of reference, mandate, composition and resources satisfactory to the Bank, a steering committee chaired by the Cabinet Director of MPSE and composed of representatives from the Recipient's ministries in charge of Primary and Secondary; Ministry of Technical Education and Literacy; Higher Education; Scientific Research and Technological Innovation; Economy, Planning, and International Cooperation; and Finance and Budget, as further detailed in the Project Operations Manual ("Steering Committee"). To this end, the Steering Committee shall meet biannually, approve Annual Plans and Budgets, oversee Project Implementation, and provide overall guidance. B. Project Operations Manual The Recipient shall maintain the POM containing detailed arrangements and procedures for: (a) institutional coordination and day-to-day execution of the Proj`ct; (b) Projecbgi d`isursement and financial management; -9- (c) procurement; (d) monitoring, evaluation, reporting and communication; (e) conditions and procedures for Subgrants and Subprojects; and (f) such other administrative, financial, technical and organizational arrangements and procedures as shall be required for the Project. 2. The Recipient shall: (a) furnish such manual to the Bank for review and approval; (b) afford the Bank a reasonable opportunity to exchange views with the Recipient on said manual; and (c) thereafter adopt said manual as shall have been approved by the Bank. 3. The Recipient shall carry out the Project in accordance with the Project Operations Manual, and shall not assign, amend, abrogate, or waive, or permit to be assigned, amended, abrogated, or waived, the aforementioned manual, or any provision thereof, without the prior written agreement of the Bank. 4, Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of the Project Operations Manual and those of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail. C. Annual Work Program 1I The Recipient shall, no later than November 15 in each calendar year during Project implementation, prepare and furnish to the Bank, a program of Project activities proposed for implementation in the following calendar year, including: (a) a detailed timetable for the sequencing and implementation of said activities; and (b) the types of expenditures required for such activities, a proposed financing plan and a budget ("Annual Work Program"). 2. The Recipient shall afford the Bank a reasonable opportunity to exchange views with the Recipient on such proposed annual work plan and budget and thereafter ensure that the Project is implemented in accordance with such annual work plan and budget as shall have been approved by the Bank. 3. The Recipient shall ensure that the Project is implemented in accordance with the Annual Work Program (provided, however, that in the event of any conflict between the Annual Work Program and the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail). D. Subprojects 1. In order to effectively implement Parts I.A(ii), I.B(v) and 2.B(iii) of the Project, the Recipient, shall provide Subgrants to Selected Schools to carry out Subprojects, in accordance with amounts, conditions and procedures satisfactory to the Bank and as set forth in the POM. To this end, the Recipient shall enter into a subgrant a~tp~~~'yt~.ta9,, %ctk*&on (~bomA rerwl>;prtty nI -10- conditions approved by the Bank and set forth in the POM. Each Subgrant Agreement shall require each Selected School to: (a) carry out Subprojects with due diligence and efficiency, in conformity with appropriate administrative, economic, managerial, financial, environmental, social and technical standards and practices, including but not limited to Anti-Corruption Guidelines, Procurement Regulations, Social and Environmental Standards, and provide promptly as needed, the facilities, services and other resources required for this purpose; (b) (i) maintain a financial management system and prepare financial statements in accordance with consistently applied accounting standards acceptable to the Bank, both in a manner adequateto reflect the operations, resources and expenditures related to Subprojects; and (ii) at the Bank's or the Recipient's request, have such financial statements audited by independent auditors acceptable to the Bank, in accordance with consistently applied auditing standards acceptable to the Bank, and promptly furnish the statements as so audited to the Recipient and the Bank. (c) ensure that each Subgrant is used for its intended purpose, as approved by the Bank and in accordance with the POM. (d) prepare and furnish to the Recipient and the Bank all such information as the Recipient or the Association shall reasonably request relating to the foregoing. E. Environmental and Social Standards, The Recipient shall ensure that the Project is carried out in accordance with the Environmental and Social Standards, in a manner acceptable to the Bank. 2. Without limitation upon paragraph I above, the Recipient shall ensure that the Project is implemented in accordance with the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan ("ESCP"), in a manner acceptable to the Bank. To this end, the Recipient shall ensure that: (a) the measures and actions specified in the ESCP are implemented with due diligence and efficiency, and provided in the ESCP; (b) sufficient funds are available to cover the costs of implementing the ESCP; (c) policies and procedures are maintained, and qualified and experienced staff in adequate numbers are retained to implement the ESCP, as provided -11- (d) the ESCP, or any provision thereof, is not amended, repealed, suspended or waived, except as the Bank shall otherwise agree in writing, as specified in the ESCP, and ensure that the revised ESCP is disclosed promptly thereafter. 3. Without limitation upon the provisions of paragraph 2 above, if sixty (60) days prior to the Closing Date, the Bank determines that there are measures and actions specified in the ESCP which will not be completed by the Closing Date, the Recipient shall: (a) not later than thirty (30) days before the Closing Date, prepare and present to the Bank, an action plan satisfactory to the Bank on the outstanding measures and actions, including a timetable and budget allocation for such measures and actions (which action plan shall deemed to be considered an amendment of the ESCP); and (b) thereafter, carry out said action plan in accordance with its terms and in a manner acceptable to the Bank, 4. In case of any inconsistencies between the ESCP and the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of-this Agreement shall prevail. 5. The Recipient shall ensure that: (a) all measures necessary are taken to collect, compile, and furnish to the Bank through regular reports, with the frequency specified in the ESCP, and promptly in a separate report or reports, if so requested by the Bank, information on the status of compliance with the ESCP and the environmental and social instruments referred to therein, all such reports in form and substance acceptable to the Bank, setting out, inter alia: (i) the status of implementation of the ESCP; (ii) conditions, if any, which interfere or threaten to interfere with the implementation of the ESCP; and (iii) corrective and preventive measures taken or required to be taken to address such conditions; and (b) the Bank is promptly notified of any incident or accident related to or having an impacton the Project which has, or is likely to have, a significant adverse effect on the environment, the affected communities, the public or workersin accordance with the ESCP, the environmental and social instruments referenced therein and the Environmental and Social Standards. 6. The Recipient shall establish, publicize, maintain and operate an accessible grievance mechanism, to receive and facilitate resolution of concerns and grievances of Project-affected people, and take all measures necessary and appropriate to resolve, or facilitate the resolution of, such concerns and grievances, in a manner acceptable to the Bank. -12- 7. The Recipient shall ensure that all bidding documents and contracts for civil works under the Project include the obligation of contractors, subcontractors and supervising entities to: (a) comply with the relevant aspects of ESCP and the environmental and social instruments referred to therein; and (b) adopt and enforce codes of conduct that should be provided to and signed by all workers, detailing measures to address environmental, social, health and safety risks, and the risks of sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and violence against children, all as applicable to such civil works commissioned or carried out pursuant to said contracts. F. Contingent Emergency Response Component 1 . In order to ensure the proper implementation of Part 4 of the Project ("Contingent Emergency Response Component") ("CERC Part"), the Recipient shall take the following measures: (a) prepare and furnish to the Bank for its review and approval, an operations manual, which shall set forth detailed implementation arrangements for the CERC Part, including: (i) designation of, terms of reference for and resources to be allocated to, the entity to be responsible for coordinating and implementing the CERC Part ("Coordinating Authority"); (ii) specific activities which may be included in the CERC Part, Eligible Expenditures required therefor ("Emergency Expenditures"), and any procedures for such inclusion; (iii) financial management arrangements for the CERC Part; (iv) procurement methods and procedures for Emergency Expenditures to be financed under the CERC Part; (v) documentation required for withdrawals of Emergency Expenditures; (vi) environmental and social safeguard management frameworks for the CERC Part, consistent with the Bank's policies on the matter; and (vii) any other arrangements necessary to ensure proper coordination and implementation of the CERC Part; (b) afford the Bank a reasonable opportunity to review said proposed operations manual; (c) promptly adopt such operations manual for the CERC Part as shall have been approved by the Bank ("CERC Operations Manual"); (d) ensure that the CERC Part is carried out in accordance with the CERC Operations Manual; provided, however, that in the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of the CERC Operations Manual and this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail; and (e) not amend, suspend, abrogate, repeal or waive any provision of the CERC -13- 2. The Recipient shall, throughout the implementation of the CERC Part, maintain the Coordinating Authority, with adequate staff and resources satisfactory to the Bank. 3. The Recipient shall undertake no activities under the CERC Part (and no activities shall be included in the CERC Part) unless and until the following conditions have been met in respect of said activities: (a) The Recipient has determined that an Eligible Crisis or Emergency has occurred, has furnished to the Bank a request to include said activities in the CERC Part in order to respond to said Eligible Crisis or Emergency, and the Bank has agreed with such determination, accepted said request and notified the Recipient thereof; and (b) the Recipient has prepared and disclosed all safeguards instruments required for said activities, in accordance with the CERC Operations Manual, the Bank has approved all such instruments, and the Recipient has implemented any actions which are required to be taken under said instruments. Section H. Project Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation A. Project Reports The Recipient shall ensure that each Project Report is furnished to the Bank not later than one (1) month after the end of each calendar quarter, covering the calendar quarter. Section III. Withdrawal of Grant Proceeds A. General 1. The Recipient may withdraw the proceeds of the Grant in accordance with the provisions of: (a) Article III of the Standard Conditions; and (b) this Section; to finance Eligible Expenditures in the amount allocated and, if applicable, up to the percentage set forth against each Category of the following table: -14- Percentage of Amount of the Grant Expenditures to be Allocated Financed Category (expressed in USD) (inclusive of Taxes) (1) Goods, works, non-consulting 26,222,500 100% services, consulting services, Training and Operating Costs, under the Project, except Subgrants under Parts 1.A(ii), 1.B(v) and 2.B(iii). (2) Subgrants under Parts 1.A(ii), 4,627,500 100% of the amounts 1.B(v) and 2.B(iii) of the Project disbursed under each Subgrant. (3) Emergency Expenditures under Part 0 4 of the Project. TOTAL AMOUNT 30,850,000 B. Withdrawal Conditions; Withdrawal Period 1I Notwithstanding the provisions of Part A of this Section no withdrawal shall be made (a) for payments made prior to the Signature Date, or (b) under Category (3), unless and until the Bank is satisfied, and has notified the Recipient of its satisfaction, that all of the following conditions have been met in respect of said activities: (i) the Recipient has determined that an Eligible Crisis or Emergency has occurred, has furnished to the Bank a request to include said activities in the CERC Part in order to respond to said Eligible Crisis or Emergency, and the Bank has agreed with such determination, accepted said request and notified the Recipient thereof; (ii) the Recipient has prepared and disclosed all environmental and social standards instruments required for said activities, and the Recipient has implemented any actions which are required to be taken under said instruments, all in accordance with the provisions '.q p ,Snin"lo$ee,lrxItti Aniern -15- (iii) the Recipient's Coordinating Authority has adequate staff and resources, in accordance with the provisions of Section L.F of Schedule 2 to this Agreement, for the purposes of said activities; and (iv) the Recipient has adopted an CERC Operations Manual in form, substance and manner acceptable to the Bank and the provisions of the CERC Operations Manual remain or have been updated in accordance with the provisions of Section I.F of Schedule 2 to this Agreement so as to be appropriate for the inclusion and implementation of said activities under the CERC Part. 2. The Closing Date is June 30, 2025. -16- APPENDIX Section 1. Definitions 1. "Annual Work Program" means each annual work plan, together with the related budget, for the Project approved by the Bank pursuant to the provisions of Section I.C of Schedule 2 to this Agreement. 2. "Anti-Corruption Guidelines" means, for purposes of paragraph 2 of the Appendix to the Standard Conditions, the "Guidelines on Preventing and Combating Fraud and Corruption in Projects Financed by IBRD Loans and IDA Credits and Grants", dated October 15, 2006, and revised in January, 2011, and as of July 1, 2016. 3. "Category" means a category set forth in the table in Section ILA of Schedule 2 to this Agreement. 4. "CERC" means contingent emergency response component. 5. "CERC Part of the Project" and "CERC Part" each means Part 4 of the Project 6. "Contingent Emergency Response Operations Manual" and "CERC Operations Manual" each means the operations manual referred to in Section F of Schedule 2 to this Agreement, to be adopted by the Recipient for the CERC Part of the Project in accordance with the provisions of said Section. 7. "Coordinating Authority" the entity or entities designated by the Recipient in the CERC Operations Manual and approved by the Bank pursuant to Section F of Schedule 2 to this Agreement, to be responsible for coordinating the CERC Part of the Project. 8. "Eligible Crisis or Emergency" means an event that has caused, or is likely to imminently cause, a major adverse economic and/or social impact to the Recipient, associated with a natural or man-made crisis or disaster. 9. "Emergency Expenditures" means the eligible expenditures required to finance the cost of the approved list of goods, works, and services necessary to support emergency mitigation, response and recovery, under Part 4 of the Project and set forth in the Emergency Response Operations Manual. 10. "Environmental and Social Commitment Plan" or "ESCP" means the environmental and social commitment plan for the Project, dated February 25, 2021, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions thereof, which sets out the material measures and actions that the Recipient shall carry out or cause to be carried out to address the potential environmental and social risks and impacts of the Proiect, including the timeframes -17- of the actions and measures, institutional, staffing, training, monitoring and reporting arrangements, and any environmental and social instruments to be prepared thereunder. I1. "Environmental and Social Standards" or "ESSs" means, collectively: (i) "Environmental and Social Standard 1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts"; (ii) "Environmental and Social Standard 2: Labor and Working Conditions"; (iii) "Environmental and Social Standard 3: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management"; (iv) "Environmental and Social Standard 4: Community Health and Safety"; (v) "Environmental and Social Standard 5: Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement"; (vi) "Environmental and Social Standard 6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources"; (vii) "Environmental and Social Standard 7: Indigenous Peoples/Sub- Saharan Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities"; (viii) "Environmental and Social Standard 8: Cultural Heritage"; (ix) "Environmental and Social Standard 9: Financial Intermediaries"; (x) "Environmental and Social Standard 10: Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure"; effective on October 1, 20 18, as published by the Bank. 12. "MPSE" means the Recipient's ministry in charge of education, or any successor thereto. 13. "Operating Costs" means the necessary and reasonable incremental expenses based on annual budgets approved by the Bank included in the Annual Work Programs, incurred by the Recipient on account of Project implementation, management, and monitoring, including office supplies and consumables; communication costs; operation and maintenance of office, vehicles and equipment; per diem and national and international travel costs and accommodations for Project staff; reasonable bank charges; and allowances and salaries of the Project's contractual staff (but excluding the salaries of the Recipient's civil/public servants). 14. "Procurement Regulations" means, for purposes of paragraph 20 of the Appendix to the Standard Conditions, the "World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers", dated July 2016, revised November 2017, August 2018 (and November 2020). 15. "Project Operations Manual" or "POM" means the project operations manual referred to in Section .B of Schedule 2 to this Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time with the prior written agreement of the Bank. 16. "Project Coordination Unit" or "PCU" means a project coordination team to be maintained within the MPSE under the Project in accordance with Section I.A. of -18- 17. "Project Steering Committee" means "PSC" each means the steering committee for the Project referred to in Section L.A of Schedule 2 to this Agreement. 18. "Signature Date" means the later of the two dates on which the Recipient and the Bank signed this Agreement and such definition applies to all references to "the date of the Grant Agreement" in the Standard Conditions. 19. "Subgrants" means the grant provided by the Recipient to each Selected School to carry out Subprojects. 20. "Subgrant Agreement" means each agreement between the Recipient and each Selected School, in accordance with conditions and criteria listed in the POM. 21. "Subprojects" means any of the Construction Subprojects, Remedial Program Subprojects or ALP Subprojects, all collectively referred to as Subprojects. 22. "Selected Schools" means each beneficiary school that is eligible to receive a Subgrant in accordance with the POM. 23. "Standard Conditions" means the "International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and International Development Association Standard Conditions for Grant Financing Made by the Bank out of Trust Funds", dated February 25, 2019. 24. "Targeted Areas" means the areas of Kemo, Nana-Gr6bizi, Haute-Kotto, Lobaye, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sanga-Mbaerd Bamingui-Bangoran, Mbomou and Haut-Mbomou and Bangui, or any other disadvantaged areas as may be identified during Project implementation according to selection criteria and procedures identified in the POM. 25. "Training" means the reasonable costs of training under the Project approved by the Bank under the Annual Work Programs, and attributable to seminars, workshops, and study tours, along with travel and subsistence allowances for training participants, services of trainers, rental of training facilities, preparation and reproduction of training materials, and other activities directly related to course preparation and implementation.