The World Bank Report No: ISR1097 Implementation Status & Results West Bank and G Public Disclosure Copy WBG: Tertiary Education Project (P083767) Operation Name: WBG: Tertiary Education Project (P083767) Project Stage: Implementation Seq.No: 12 Status: ARCHIVED Last Modified Date: 31-Dec-2010 Country: West Bank and G Approval FY: 2005 Product Line: Special Financing Region: MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Lending Instrument: Specific Investment Loan Implementing Agency(ies): Ministry of Education Key Dates Board Approval Date 26-Apr-2005 Original Closing Date 31-Dec-2012 Planned Mid Term Review Date Last Archived ISR Date 13-Apr-2010 Effectiveness Date 15-Jun-2005 Revised Closing Date 31-Dec-2012 Actual Mid Term Review Date Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The project development objectives are: 1) to improve the regulatory environment for tertiary education management, governance and quality assurance; 2) increase internal and external efficiency of the tertiary education system, as a first step towards achieving sustainability; and 3) to create incentives and provide the basis for improvements in efficiency, quality and relevance of tertiary education institutions in order to meet the socioeconomic needs of the Palestinian population. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project? Yes No Component(s) Component Name Component Cost Strengthen policy-making bodies 3.50 Institutional capacity building 2.50 Improve quality of TEIs 15.50 Public Disclosure Copy Expand studen aid scheme 0.80 Overall Ratings Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating Implementation Status Overview This is a best practice project. The Quality Improvement Fund (QIF) has a five year track record of being an instrument that provides funds for Tertiary Education Institutions (TEIs) for innovative projects. Forty five projects have been completed to date. The second phase of the project is underway and is geared towards supporting TEIs in putting in place Page 1 of 5 The World Bank Report No: ISR1097 innovative teaching programs. A call for proposals was recently completed and 10 out of 12 universities in West Bank and Gaza will be involved. These QIF grants will focus on 7 out of 9 disciplines. The Bank's team was impressed by the quality of the proposals and the fact that all funds were committed in one cycle. Public Disclosure Copy This Tertiary Education Project (TEP) was supported with funding from International Development Association (IDA) and the European Community (EC). IDA provided US$5 million in support to the QIF under the original project and US$5.0 million through the additional financing approved in 2009 and the EC provided US$5.5 million to the QIF (component 3) in the context of the original TEP. Results Project Development Objective Indicators Indicator Baseline Current End Target Indicator Name Value Value Value Increased percentage of new entrants into priority program areas 32% The 40% target has already been 40% (defined by relevance to market and socio-economic needs). met as of July 2009. Date Date 31-Dec-2004 Date 31-Oct-2011 Type Unit of Measure Comment 14-Nov-2010 Comment Custom Indicator Text Comment Indicator Baseline Current End Target Indicator Name Value Value Value Increased percentage of new entrants into technical colleges. 19% The target of 27% was reached for 27% Date the 2005-06 period, and it reached Date 29% for the 2007-08 period. 31-Dec-2004 31-Oct-2011 Date Type Unit of Measure Comment Comment 14-Nov-2010 Custom Indicator Text Comment Public Disclosure Copy Page 2 of 5 The World Bank Report No: ISR1097 Indicator Baseline Current End Target Public Disclosure Copy Indicator Name Value Value Value Improved sector policy development - measured by the preparation of No current National Tertiary The draft Strategy prepared by a National Tertiary Education a National Tertiary Education Strategy Education Strategy consultant, in consultation with Strategy Prepared Date Universities and MOEHE staff, was Date presented and discussed at the Type Unit of Measure 17-Mar-2005 Workshp on Tertiary Education in 31-Oct-2011 Custom Indicator Text Comment May 2009. Comment Date 14-Nov-2010 Comment Intermediate Results Indicators Indicator Baseline Current End Target Indicator Name Value Value Value A National Higher Education Strategy has been prepared. The draft Strategy prepared by a The draft policy document and its Date consultant, in consultation with implementation plan should be Universities and MOEHE staff, was finalized, and d iscussed with TEIs. presented and discussed at the Date Type Unit of Measure Comment Workshop on Tertiary Education in May 2009. 31-Oct-2011 Custom Indicator Text Date Comment 14-Nov-2010 Comment The Strategy has yet to be officially adopted Public Disclosure Copy Page 3 of 5 The World Bank Report No: ISR1097 Indicator Baseline Current End Target Public Disclosure Copy Indicator Name Value Value Value About 50 percent of universities and 30 percent of colleges have 100.00 100.00 completed the institutional self-assessment process and initiated Date Date Date institutional development plans by the end of the project 14-Nov-2010 31-Oct-2011 Type Unit of Measure Comment Comment Comment Custom Indicator Percentage 100% of universities, 76% of 100% of universities and 76% of colleges have conducted colleges have been able to conduct institutional self-assessment the institutional self-assessment exercise and produce their reports exercise and produce their and produce or revise their institutional self-assessment strategic plans based on the self- reports and produce or revise their assessment report strategic plans based on the self- assessment report Indicator Baseline Current End Target Indicator Name Value Value Value About70% of universities and 30% of colleges have received QIF 100.00 100.00 grants. Additionally, 50% of QIF eligible institutions are successful in Date Date Date receiving QIF grants by the end of the project 14-Nov-2010 31-Oct-2011 Type Unit of Measure Comment Comment Comment Custom Indicator Percentage since part of these projects are since part of these projects are being implemented in partnership being implemented in partnership with the other colleges, the actual with the other colleges, the actual percent of colleges benefiting from percent of colleges benefiting from QIF grants is about 50%. QIF grants is about 50%. Data on Financial Performance (as of 15-Dec-2010) Public Disclosure Copy Financial Agreement(s) Key Dates Project Loan No. Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Closing Date P083767 TF-55089 Closed 16-May-2005 16-May-2005 15-Jun-2005 31-Dec-2010 P083767 TF-56121 Closed 27-Mar-2006 27-Mar-2006 27-Mar-2006 31-Dec-2010 P083767 TF-94590 Effective 14-Jul-2009 14-Jul-2009 17-Jul-2009 31-Dec-2012 Disbursements (in Millions) Project Loan No. Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P083767 TF-55089 Closed USD 10.00 10.00 0.00 10.00 0.00 100.00 P083767 TF-56121 Closed USD 5.91 5.91 0.00 6.45 0.24 109.00 Page 4 of 5 The World Bank Report No: ISR1097 P083767 TF-94590 Effective USD 5.00 5.00 0.00 0.30 4.70 6.00 Public Disclosure Copy Disbursement Graph Key Decisions Regarding Implementation In addition to achieving the main objectives, by introducing a competitive allocation process among Tertiary Education Institutions (TEIs) the proposed and implemented QIF grants were highly relevant to the local market needs. Overall, the QIF has supported the establishment of 24 important partnerships among TEIs and the public and private sector which until that point had not existed. The QIF has also been characterized by wide participation of TEIs with 100% of universities and 50% of colleges in WBG implementing QIF grants. The QIF's achievements and impact on the tertiary education sector has shown for the first time the utility of a QIF as a financing instrument for undertaking reforms within the education sector. While the high level of participation, innovation of QIF projects and achievement of project objectives are clear indicators of the commitment of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and other stakeholders to improve the tertiary education system ­ essential in ensuring that the West Bank and Gaza has a highly skilled workforce. Public Disclosure Copy These diverse and innovative QIF projects have increased the relevance of TEI programs and training to labor market realities, supported TEIs in remaining competitive and have strengthened their capacity to develop income-generating activities. The QIF has been so successful that an additional financing (AF) grant (TF094590) in the amount of US$5 million was approved on May 28, 2009 to provide financing to the QIF and to support policy-making and management of MOEHE, HEC and AQAC. The AF will focus on teacher education programs offered by TEIs. The AF Trust Fund Grant Agreement (TF094590) was signed on July 14, 2009 and became effective on July 17, 2009. The closing date of the AF is December 31, 2012. The entire amount of about US$4.2 million allocated to the QIF AF component has been fully committed. Restructuring History There has been no restructuring to date. Related Projects P116758-West Bank and Gaza Tertiary Education Project Page 5 of 5