The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Strengthening Foundations for Learning Project (P162297) Strengthening Foundations for Learning Project (P162297) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA | Tunisia | Education Global Practice | IBRD/IDA | Investment Project Financing | FY 2018 | Seq No: 5 | ARCHIVED on 18-Feb-2021 | ISR45101 | Implementing Agencies: Ministry of Education, Republic of Tunisia Key Dates Key Project Dates Bank Approval Date: 18-May-2018 Effectiveness Date: 14-Feb-2019 Planned Mid Term Review Date: 21-Jun-2021 Actual Mid-Term Review Date: Original Closing Date: 31-Dec-2023 Revised Closing Date: 31-Dec-2023 pdoTable Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The objectives of the Project are to improve learning conditions in public preschools and primary schools, and to increase access to public preschool education in selected districts. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No Components Table Name Improving quality and increasing supply of public preschool education:(Cost $11.05 M) Improving learning conditions in public primary school:(Cost $23.08 M) Strengthening management practices in the education sector:(Cost $40.80 M) Project management:(Cost $0.75 M) Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Moderately Unsatisfactory Moderately Unsatisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Moderately Unsatisfactory Moderately Unsatisfactory Overall Risk Rating Substantial Substantial Implementation Status and Key Decisions The Government has published the decree establishing the project implementation unit, paving the way for the operational arrangements to be finalized and implementation of all activities to get underway. The project has made significant progress in recent months despite COVID19 challenges and closures. Key activities have been launched: an early grade reading assessment has been test-piloted and is about to roll out; re- tendering of construction activities as well as furniture has been released; arrangements have been established that will strengthen CNTE and CENAFOPs capacity to expand content availability and access to remote education and teacher professional development. Through co-financing from the UK Government, the World Bank has been able to enhance technical support to the Project, helping move forward on the early grade assessment, distance education and training, monitoring of infrastructure activities, and general project coordination. Despite these advancements, the inherited delays in the project remain significant, and couples with recent disruptions, they continue to affect the Project’s ability to meet its objectives. Many targets remain unachieved or only partially achieved with three years of implementation remaining. It is 2/18/2021 Page 1 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Strengthening Foundations for Learning Project (P162297) therefore crucial that all parties work to further enhance momentum in order to help this project advance on the most critical interventions and support a resilient recovery. Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Political and Governance High High High Macroeconomic Substantial Substantial Substantial Sector Strategies and Policies Substantial Substantial Substantial Technical Design of Project or Program Substantial Substantial Substantial Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Substantial Substantial Substantial Sustainability Fiduciary Substantial Substantial Substantial Environment and Social Moderate Moderate Moderate Stakeholders Substantial Substantial Substantial Other -- -- -- Overall Substantial Substantial Substantial Results PDO Indicators by Objectives / Outcomes Increased access to public preschool education in selected districts IN00940452 ►1. Children enrolled in public preschools in targeted districts (disaggregated by gender and urban/rural areas) (Number (Thousand), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 7,416.00 8,427.00 8,588.00 11,500.00 Date 19-Apr-2018 31-Dec-2019 05-Jan-2021 31-Dec-2023 Number reported refers to 2019/20. 2020/21 has not been reported to the Bank yet. Comments: Improved learning conditions in public preschools and primary schools IN00940453 2/18/2021 Page 2 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Strengthening Foundations for Learning Project (P162297) ►2. Primary school directors declare that they (i) are satisfied and (ii) use the new school leadership and management practices imparted through professional development training delivered by the MOE (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 50.00 Date 19-Apr-2018 30-Jun-2020 05-Jan-2021 31-Dec-2023 The leadership development program for primary school directors has not been designed. As a result of COVID-19 school closures, no leadership training activity for primary school directors has Comments: been undertaken this school year 2019/20. IN00940454 Primary school directors declare they use the new leadership and management practices they have learned through the professional development training delivered by the MOE (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 35.00 IN00940455 ►3. Trained preschool and primary teachers demonstrating skills learned through the core professional development program (disaggregated by gender) (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 30.00 Date 19-Apr-2018 29-Jun-2020 05-Jan-2021 31-Dec-2023 An estimated 14 000 primary teachers including preschool teachers participated in training activities between June 2019 and February 2020. Due to COVID19 and the Ministry’s need to handle other urgencies, there has not been any further training in 2020. However, with the purpose of building a more Comments: resilient training system, the ministry is building a remote training platform for teacher professional development. IN00940476 Preschool and primary teachers who agree that the professional development activities are helping them improve classroom practices (disaggregated by gender) (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 50.00 Intermediate Results Indicators by Components Improving quality and increasing supply of public preschool education IN00940477 ►1. Preschool teachers who receive in-service training on the core professional development program for early childhood education developed by the Ministry of Education (Number (Thousand), Custom, PBC) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 2,500.00 2,600.00 5,000.00 Date 19-Apr-2018 22-Jun-2020 05-Jan-2021 31-Dec-2023 Since February 2020, no additional training has taken place as a result of COVID19. Comments: 2/18/2021 Page 3 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Strengthening Foundations for Learning Project (P162297) IN00940480 ►2. Preschool classrooms that have received learning materials and small supplies (Amount(USD), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,000.00 Date 19-Apr-2018 22-Jun-2020 05-Jan-2021 31-Dec-2023 The bid was launched by end of 2020. The learning materials and supplies will be distributed to the Comments: classrooms by mid-2021. IN00940483 ►3. Public preschool classrooms assessed using quality assurance mechanism (Number, Custom, PBC) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 400.00 Date 19-Apr-2018 22-Jun-2020 05-Jan-2021 31-Dec-2023 In November 2020, the MOE validated and introduced the new monitoring instrument to be used by Comments: pedagogical inspectors for preschool that had been developed with support from the Project. IN00940486 ►4. Preschool classrooms built in selected districts (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 140.00 Date 19-Apr-2018 22-Jun-2020 05-Jan-2021 31-Dec-2023 Although no classrooms have been built to date, relaunching of bids (previously launched in late 2019) took place in late 2020 and contracts are expected to be signed by end of 2021 Q1. Comments: The process has now been entered into the Bank’s procurement system (STEP) and is expected to more more efficiently going forward. Improving learning conditions in public primary school IN00940478 ►5. Primary school directors and deputy directors who have participated in training on leadership and school management delivered by the MOE (disaggregated by gender) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 2,500.00 2,500.00 3,500.00 Date 19-Apr-2018 22-Jun-2020 05-Jan-2021 31-Dec-2023 No new training was organized for primary school directors during 2020. Comments: IN00940481 ►7. Primary school teachers who receive in-service training on the core professional development program delivered by the MOE (disaggregated by gender) (Number (Thousand), Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target 2/18/2021 Page 4 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Strengthening Foundations for Learning Project (P162297) Value 0.00 14,000.00 14,000.00 12,000.00 Date 19-Apr-2018 22-Jun-2020 05-Jan-2021 31-Dec-2023 There has been no new teacher professional development activities for primary school teachers since February 2020. Comments: Online distance training is expected to start in the second half of 2021. IN00940484 ►9. Inspectors and pedagogical counselors trained on coaching techniques, disaggregated by gender (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 1,301.00 1,301.00 1,200.00 Date 19-Apr-2018 22-Jun-2020 05-Jan-2021 31-Dec-2023 No new professional development activities organized in 2020, largely due to COVID19. Comments: IN00940487 ►10. Primary school classrooms equipped with a reading corner (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,200.00 Date 19-Apr-2018 22-Jun-2020 05-Jan-2021 31-Dec-2023 A list of reading books for primary classrooms is under review by the Ministry leadership. Tendering will take place in the next few months. Comments: IN00940490 ►11. Grade 2 and/or Grade 3 students who cannot read a single word, as measured by the fluency test in EGRA (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target EGRA will take place Second measurement Value N.A No progress yet end of February 2021 for EGRA carried out Date 19-Apr-2018 22-Jun-2020 05-Jan-2021 31-Dec-2023 An EGRA has been designed and piloted. Full implementation expected in March and April, with Comments: preliminary resulted expected in mid-2021. IN00940491 ►14. Television education programs support learning during the COVID-19 crisis (Hours, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 30.00 0.00 25.00 Date 02-Jan-2020 22-Jun-2020 05-Jan-2021 29-Dec-2023 Broadcast of Education TV stopped after the July 2020 as children were released for summer break. Ministry is working to resume it in the event of future school closures and expanding it to Comments: accommodate more students/grades. 2/18/2021 Page 5 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Strengthening Foundations for Learning Project (P162297) IN00940489 ►15. Primary teachers who have received training to develop their skills set for distance education teaching (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 400.00 10,000.00 Date 31-Dec-2019 22-Jun-2020 05-Jan-2021 29-Dec-2023 The Ministry has introduced a number of MOOCs focused on ICT from which 400 teachers, pedagogical assistants and inspectors have benefitted. Based on this success, more training is begin designed to be Comments: delivered online through this and similar platforms. Launch is expected by the next ISR. Strengthening management practices in the education sector IN00940479 ►12. Information Management System for professional development developed (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target System used to New tracking and monitor and assign Application developed Value NA monitoring (LMS) to be professional but not yet utilized. developped development activities remains operational Date 19-Apr-2018 22-Jun-2020 05-Jan-2021 31-Dec-2023 The National Center for Technology for Education has developed an application to monitor professional development of teachers. The application is currently in beta stage. An automated system for monitoring and tracking the participation of teachers and other education personnel in professional development Comments: activities is currently discussion. IN00940482 ►13. National standardized learning assessment conducted in primary schools (Text, Custom, PBC) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Use of assessment Value N.A No updates No updates results to develop CRE action plans Date 19-Apr-2018 22-Jun-2020 05-Jan-2021 31-Dec-2023 A nationally representative early grade reading assessment has been designed and pilot-tested in late 2020. The Ministry has validated the design and full rollout is expected in March 2021, with results Comments: expected by the end of the academic year. The Bank has provided extensive technical assistance to this process with financial support from the UK TF. IN00940485 Public primary school that have shared student learning assessment results with parents (Percentage, Custom Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 30.00 IN00940488 ►16. the Ministry of Education has deployed virtual instruments to regularly maintain open communication with key education staff at national and regional level (Text, Custom) 2/18/2021 Page 6 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Strengthening Foundations for Learning Project (P162297) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Virtual new VC equipment to correspondence or Instruments have been be installed in regions. Value N/A meeting between developed by the CNTE Email system ministry and regional improved for all staff. staff Date 27-Mar-2020 22-Jun-2020 05-Jan-2021 29-Dec-2023 The Bank is providing technical assistance to help the Ministry and CNTE introduce VC equipment to all Comments: 26 regional education offices by mid-2021 Performance-Based Conditions IN00940492 ►PBC 1 3. Public preschool classrooms assessed using quality assurance mechanism (Number, Intermediate Outcome, 3,248,000.00, 0.00%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) December 2023 Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 -- Date -- 22-Jun-2020 05-Jan-2021 -- IN00940493 ►PBC 2 1. Preschool teachers who receive in-service training on the core professional development program for early childhood education developed by the Ministry of Education (Number (Thousand), Intermediate Outcome, 3,248,000.00, 0.00%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) December 2023 Value 0.00 2,500.00 2,600.00 -- Date -- 22-Jun-2020 05-Jan-2021 -- IN00940494 ►PBC 3 13. National standardized learning assessment conducted in primary schools (Text, Intermediate Outcome, 2,030,000.00, 0.00%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) December 2023 Value N.A No updates No updates -- Date -- 22-Jun-2020 05-Jan-2021 -- IN00940495 2/18/2021 Page 7 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Strengthening Foundations for Learning Project (P162297) ►PBC 4 Strengthened distance education for primary and secondary students (Text, Intermediate Outcome, 7,200,000.00, 72.22%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) December 2023 TV education program TV education program Value N/A have been broadcasted have been broadcasted -- since March 15, 2020 since March 15, 2020 Date -- 22-Jun-2020 22-Jun-2020 -- IN00940496 ►PBC 5 Expanded teacher skill sets to accommodate remote teaching (Text, Intermediate Outcome, 1,000,000.00, 0.00%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) December 2023 Value N/A N/A N/A -- Date -- 31-Mar-2020 31-Mar-2020 -- IN00940497 ►PBC 6 Strengthened communication systems within the Ministry of Education’s structure (Text, Intermediate Outcome, 1,000,000.00, 0.00%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) December 2023 Value N/A N/A N/A -- Date -- 31-Mar-2020 31-Mar-2020 -- Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P162297 IBRD-88630 Effective USD 100.00 68.96 31.04 16.01 51.57 24% Key Dates (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P162297 IBRD-88630 Effective 18-May-2018 07-Jun-2018 14-Feb-2019 31-Dec-2023 31-Dec-2023 Cumulative Disbursements 2/18/2021 Page 8 of 9 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Strengthening Foundations for Learning Project (P162297) PBC Disbursement Achievement Disbursed amount in Disbursement % PBC ID PBC Type Description Coc PBC Amount Status Coc for PBC Restructuring History Level 2 Approved on 30-Mar-2020 ,Level 2 Approved on 30-Apr-2020 ,Level Approved on 27-May-2020 Related Project(s) There are no related projects. 2/18/2021 Page 9 of 9