Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Mauritania Basic Education Sector Support Project (BESSP) (P126902) Mauritania Basic Education Sector Support Project (BESSP) (P126902) AFRICA | Mauritania | Education Global Practice | Recipient Executed Activities | Specific Investment Loan | FY 2014 | Seq No: 5 | ARCHIVED on 04-Aug-2016 | ISR24518 | Implementing Agencies: DPEF Key Dates Key Project Dates Bank Approval Date:06-Feb-2014 Effectiveness Date:19-May-2014 Planned Mid Term Review Date:15-Feb-2016 Actual Mid-Term Review Date:23-May-2016 Original Closing Date:01-May-2017 Revised Closing Date:01-May-2017 Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The development objective of the proposed operation is to improve quality of pre-service teacher training in primary education and to promote equitable access to lower secondary education. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No PHRPDODEL Components Name Improving the quality of teaching in primary education:(Cost $4.00 M) Promoting equitable access to lower secondary education:(Cost $4.70 M) Strengthening capacity of the education sector:(Cost $3.70 M) Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO  Moderately Satisfactory  Moderately Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP)  Moderately Unsatisfactory  Moderately Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating  Moderate  Moderate 8/4/2016 Page 1 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Mauritania Basic Education Sector Support Project (BESSP) (P126902) Implementation Status and Key Decisions A mid-term review of the Project was undertaken from May 23 to June 3, 2016. During the mission, a workshop which was widely attended by various stakeholders was held in Noukchott on May 24, 2016. The mission had the opportunity to meet with various project stakeholders, including government officials and staff from the regional, district and school levels as well as other development partners (including staff from the United Nations Children's Fund, French Cooperation and Agence Francaise de Developpement). The mission determined that important progress has been made under the project, and since the last mission. The project appears to be on track to achieve its development objectives. Therefore the project is rated Moderately Satisfactory (MS) for implementation progress and progress towards achievement of the project development objective (PDO). The following provides an overview of progress by component. Component 1: Improving the Quality of Teaching in Primary Education. The following has been achieved: (i) desks and office equipment have been provided to 2 Ecoles Normales d'Instituteurs/Teacher Training Institutes (ENIs) (Nouakchott and Aioun) and is in the process of being provided to 2 other ENIs (Akjoujt and Kaedi); (ii) training has been provided to all 101 trainers on the ENI curriculum and the competency-based approach (approche par competences) in all 4 ENIs; with all trainers from the ENIs of Nouakchott and Aioun (70) also participating in a two week training on learning assessments and the trainers and other staff from the other 2 ENIs (33) receiving basic language training; (iii) Centre de recherche et d'etudes de langues (CREL) (which was contracted to provide language training to ENI students and trainers under the Project) has provided French training to 28 math and science teachers (whose primary language is Arabic); training to 50 teachers on teaching in a second language; and training/mentoring of 78 teachers to support them in mastering teaching in a second language; and intensive language training beginning in October 2015 for a period of either one or two months for 1,380 ENI students (at all levels). The Cellule Nationale d’Evaluation (CNE) has completed three independents assessments of students entering the ENIs – in 2014 (2 ENIs – Nouakchott and Aioun); 2015 and 2016 (in all 4 ENIs); and assessments of second and third year students in 2015 and 2016. The results of these evaluations are expected shortly. Further, under sub-component 1.2, 225,209 pedagogical kits have been distributed to all primary school students in the six targeted wilayas; and to 18,879 kits girls in lower secondary school (colleges) in the targeted wilayas. Component 2: Promoting Equitable Access to Lower Secondary Education. Under this Component, the following has been achieved: (i) out of the 13 schools to be constructed and equipped in the 6 wilayas targeted by the project, 10 are expected to open for the 2016-2017 school year (with the remaining three expected to open for the 2017-2018 school year) and acquisition of equipment is underway; (ii) an awareness raising campaign was held in each of the 6 wilayas with a total of 290 participants including local administration and the media; (iii) 352 girls in each of the 6 targeted wilayas have received merit-based awards; and (iv) the design and preparation of hygiene kits for girls in lower secondary school (colleges) is underway. Component 3: Strengthening Management of the Education Sector. The following has been achieved: (i) three annual school censuses in 2014, 2015 and 2016 with the support of the Pole de Dakar, which contributed to the development of the 2015 Education Status Report (RESEN) and a financial simulation model in order to update policy framework document and the triennial action plans; (ii) three learning assessments were undertaken by the CNE for children in grades 3 and 5 in 2014 and for children in grade 3 in 2015; (iii) 917 directors (primary school) and 332 basic education inspectors were trained in teacher, financial and administrative management and pedagogy and training, respectively; (iv) DRENs (regional level education offices) and IDENs (district level education offices) were provided with computers and office equipment; (v) annual sector reviews and audits were undertaken; and (vi) progress has been made towards the establishment of an Education Management Information System (EMIS) for the Ministry of Education (with a data collection and analysis center within its Directorate of Statistics, Planning and Cooperation). Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Political and Governance  --  Moderate  Moderate Macroeconomic  --  Low  Low Sector Strategies and Policies  --  Moderate  Moderate 8/4/2016 Page 2 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Mauritania Basic Education Sector Support Project (BESSP) (P126902) Technical Design of Project or Program  --  Moderate  Moderate Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Sustainability  --  Substantial  Substantial Fiduciary  --  Substantial  Substantial Environment and Social  --  Moderate  Moderate Stakeholders  --  Moderate  Moderate Other  --  --  -- Overall  --  Moderate  Moderate Results Project Development Objective Indicators PHINDPDOTBL  Direct project beneficiaries (Number, Core) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 3735.00 246064.00 76500.00 Date 28-Feb-2014 15-Dec-2015 15-Jul-2016 28-Feb-2017 PHINDPDOTBL  Female beneficiaries (Percentage, Core Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 10.00 5.00 53.00 12.00 PHINDPDOTBL  Proportion of graduates of ENIs who master the minimum required competencies (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 -- 32.00 15.00 Date 28-Feb-2014 -- 15-Jul-2016 28-Feb-2017 8/4/2016 Page 3 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Mauritania Basic Education Sector Support Project (BESSP) (P126902) PHINDPDOTBL  Transition rate from primary to lower secondary education for girls in targeted wilayas (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 45.00 42.00 45.00 50.00 Date 28-Feb-2014 15-Dec-2015 15-Jul-2016 28-Feb-2017 PHINDPDOTBL  Number of females enrolled in lower secondary education in targeted wilayas (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 7800.00 17578.00 19077.00 8736.00 Date 28-Feb-2014 15-Dec-2015 15-Jul-2016 28-Feb-2017 Overall Comments During the course of the MTR, it was agreed that project would be restructured under which a number of indicators and targets will be clarified and/or revised (including to reflect year on year cumulative values). Additionally, updated data now available will require some changes to baseline and target values. Intermediate Results Indicators PHINDIRITBL  Number of ENI administrative staff trained (Component 1) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 104.00 33.00 70.00 Date 28-Feb-2014 15-Dec-2015 15-Jul-2016 28-Feb-2017 PHINDIRITBL  Number of ENI faculty trained (Component 1) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 101.00 101.00 120.00 Date 28-Feb-2014 15-Dec-2015 15-Jul-2016 28-Feb-2017 8/4/2016 Page 4 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Mauritania Basic Education Sector Support Project (BESSP) (P126902) PHINDIRITBL  Educational resources available at ENIs (Component 1) (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value N -- Y Y Date 28-Feb-2014 15-Dec-2015 15-Jul-2016 28-Feb-2017 PHINDIRITBL  Number of additional bilingual teachers certified by CREL supported by the project (Component 1) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 30.00 -- 436.00 500.00 Date 28-Feb-2014 15-Dec-2015 15-Jul-2016 28-Feb-2017 PHINDIRITBL  Proportion of students who received pedagogical kits in the targeted regions each year (Component 1) (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 -- 91.00 25.00 Date 28-Feb-2014 15-Dec-2015 15-Jul-2016 28-Feb-2017 PHINDIRITBL  Number of classrooms constructed in targeted wilayas with support from the project (Component 2) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 -- 12.00 52.00 Date 28-Feb-2014 15-Dec-2015 15-Jul-2016 28-Feb-2017 8/4/2016 Page 5 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Mauritania Basic Education Sector Support Project (BESSP) (P126902) PHINDIRITBL  Number of girls receiving an award (Component 2) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 352.00 352.00 480.00 Date 28-Feb-2014 15-Dec-2015 15-Jul-2016 28-Feb-2017 PHINDIRITBL  Number of awareness campaigns carried out to promote girls' education with NGOs (Component 2) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 6.00 6.00 9.00 Date 28-Feb-2014 15-Dec-2015 15-Jul-2016 28-Feb-2017 Comments An awareness campaign was undertaken in each of the 6 wilayas targeted by the project; this indicator will be clarified under the restructuring. PHINDIRITBL  Number of teachers, inspectors and school directors in rural schools who attended awareness-raising training sessions (Component 2) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 -- 290.00 690.00 Date 28-Feb-2014 15-Dec-2015 15-Jul-2016 28-Feb-2017 PHINDIRITBL  Number of girls provided with pedagogical kits in targeted wilayas (Component 2) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 -- 131484.00 72407.00 Date 28-Feb-2014 15-Dec-2015 15-Jul-2016 28-Feb-2017 8/4/2016 Page 6 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Mauritania Basic Education Sector Support Project (BESSP) (P126902) PHINDIRITBL  System of learning assessment established and functional (Component 3) (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value N N Y Y Date 28-Feb-2014 15-Dec-2015 15-Jul-2016 28-Feb-2017 PHINDIRITBL  Integrated EMIS (network system) is operational within the State Ministry of Education (MEE) and the regional offices (Component 3) (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value N N N Y Date 28-Feb-2014 15-Dec-2015 15-Jul-2016 28-Feb-2017 PHINDIRITBL  Number of DRENs personnel trained in data collection and analysis (Component 3) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 70.00 70.00 120.00 Date 28-Feb-2014 15-Dec-2015 15-Jul-2016 28-Feb-2017 PHINDIRITBL  Number of staff trained on EMIS (Component 3) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 285.00 Date 28-Feb-2014 15-Dec-2015 15-Jul-2016 28-Feb-2017 8/4/2016 Page 7 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Mauritania Basic Education Sector Support Project (BESSP) (P126902) PHINDIRITBL  Completion of early grade reading assessment (EGRA) (Component 3) (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value N N N Y Date 28-Feb-2014 15-Dec-2015 15-Jul-2016 28-Feb-2017 PHINDIRITBL  Number of annual meetings of the education sector group (Component 3) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 2.00 3.00 9.00 Date 28-Feb-2014 15-Dec-2015 15-Jul-2016 28-Feb-2017 Overall Comments During the course of the MTR, it was agreed that project would be restructured under which a number of indicators and targets will be clarified and/or revised (including to reflect year on year cumulative values). Additionally, updated data now available will require some changes to baseline and target values. Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed Disbursed P126902 TF-16390 Effective USD 12.40 12.40 0.00 6.93 5.47 56% Key Dates (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P126902 TF-16390 Effective 18-Feb-2014 18-Feb-2014 19-May-2014 01-May-2017 01-May-2017 Cumulative Disbursements 8/4/2016 Page 8 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Mauritania Basic Education Sector Support Project (BESSP) (P126902) Restructuring History There has been no restructuring to date. Related Project(s) There are no related projects. 8/4/2016 Page 9 of 9 Public Disclosure Copy