The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Education Quality Improvement Project (P179363) Education Quality Improvement Project (P179363) EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA | Moldova | IBRD/IDA | Investment Project Financing (IPF) | FY 2023 | Seq No: 4 | Archived on 26-Feb-2025 | ISR03311 Implementing Agencies: Ministry of Education and Research, National Office for Regional and Local Development (NORLD) 1. OBJECTIVE 1.1 Development Objective Original Development Objective (Approved as part of Approval package on 31-May-2023) The objectives of the Project are to: (i) improve the learning environment in participating institutions, with an emphasis on supporting disadvantaged students; and (ii) strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Education and Research for sector management and refugee response. Has the Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No 2. COMPONENTS Name Improving Quality of Teaching:(Cost 18,250,000.00) Improving the Quality of Learning Environment in Participating Institutions:(Cost 33,180,000.00) Strengthening the Capacity for Education Sector Management and Refugee Response:(Cost 8,380,000.00) Contingent Emergency Response Component:(Cost 0.00) 3. OVERALL RATINGS Name Previous Current Progress towards achievement of PDO Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Satisfactory Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating Moderate Moderate Feb 26, 2025 Page 1 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Education Quality Improvement Project (P179363) 4. KEY ISSUES & STATUS 4.1 Implementation Status and Key Decisions The project is on track to achieve its project development objectives (PDOs). Key progress since the last mission includes the completion of restructuring, the launch of the School In-Kind Grants (SIG) program, the advancement of TEACH training, and the initiation of design activities for the rehabilitation of schools. The key next steps include conducting a rapid assessment of 9th-grade students in math to identify learning gaps (for support under the tutoring program), signing contracts for design services for the rehabilitation of kindergartens, appointment of the SIG Selection Committee members and the completion of the selection of SIG subprojects to be supported under the project. 5. SYSTEMATIC OPERATIONS RISK-RATING TOOL Rating at Approval Last Approved Rating Risk Category Approval Package - ISR Seq. 03 - 26 Aug Proposed Rating 31 May 2023 2024 Political and Governance Substantial Substantial Substantial Macroeconomic Substantial Substantial Substantial Sector Strategies and Policies Moderate Moderate Moderate Technical Design of Project or Program Moderate Moderate Moderate Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Moderate Moderate Moderate Sustainability Fiduciary Moderate Moderate Moderate Environment and Social Moderate Moderate Moderate Stakeholders Moderate Moderate Moderate Overall Moderate Moderate Moderate Feb 26, 2025 Page 2 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Education Quality Improvement Project (P179363) 6. RESULTS 6.1 PDO Indicators by PDO Outcomes Improved learning environment in participating educational institutions Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Closing Period Indicator Name Value Month/Year Value Date Value Date Value Month/Year 0.00 Feb/2023 0.00 05-Aug-2024 0.00 31-Dec-2024 90.00 Dec/2029 Comments on Currently, 114 trainers have successfully completed the program, earning both training and achieving targets certification as TEACH observers for ECE and primary levels. Building on this achievement, the MoER will further expand the TEACH-related training program, incorporating Participating teachers with certification for the secondary level. This indicator will be measured through the classroom improved teaching practices observation tool before intervention and after completion of the training (for a (Percentage) representative sample of teachers). The details of the TEACH approach will be included in the POM. MoER PMT has initiated the process of identifying beneficiaries and representative group for the baseline study to take place in the 2024/25 school year. As a result of this baseline, the training needs of the teachers will be determined. No tutoring Feb/2023 No tutoring 05-Aug-2024 Tutoring 31-Dec-2024 Improvement Dec/2029 program in program in program is in scores of Improved learning outcomes place place under beneficiaries of students benefitting from preparation compared to project-supported tutoring control group program (disaggregated by (measured by gender, urban/rural, impact refugee/vulnerability status) evaluation) (Text) Comments on A rapid assessment of learning gaps is planned to take place between February and March achieving targets 2025. In April-May 2025, tutoring programs will be implemented to support 9th-grade Feb 26, 2025 Page 3 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Education Quality Improvement Project (P179363) students in mathematics. The NACE is responsible for conducting these activities, including both baseline and impact assessments. Enhanced MoER’s capacity for education sector management and refugee response Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Closing Period Indicator Name Value Month/Year Value Date Value Date Value Month/Year No integrated Feb/2023 No integrated 05-Aug-2024 Preparation 31-Dec-2024 Integrated Dec/2029 EMIS in place EMIS in place for assessment EMIS is of EMIS is operational currently and reports, Annual education statistics underway. produced reports produced and using its data, publicly disseminated based are publicly on data generated by the disseminated integrated EMIS and used for and used for education sector education management including sector refugee response (Text) management including refugee response. 6.2 Intermediate Results Indicators by Components Improving Quality of Teaching Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Closing Period Indicator Name Value Month/Year Value Date Value Date Value Month/Year 0.00 Feb/2023 0.00 05-Aug-2024 0.00 31-Dec-2024 20.00 Dec/2029 Feb 26, 2025 Page 4 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Education Quality Improvement Project (P179363) Teachers trained on Comments on The revision of professional standards for primary and secondary school teachers has been professional standards under achieving targets completed. The first stage of Training for Trainers took place in December 2024, followed by the project (% of teachers in online sessions in January 2025. ECEC facilities and grades 1– 12) (Percentage) Rapid student assessment No Feb/2023 No 05-Aug-2024 No 31-Dec-2024 Yes Dec/2029 mechanism developed and Comments on A rapid assessment by NACE (covering 9th-grade students in math) is planned to take place piloted (for selected grade) achieving targets between February and March 2025. (Yes/No) Tutoring/accelerated No Feb/2023 No 05-Aug-2024 No 31-Dec-2024 Yes Dec/2029 learning program for Comments on The tutoring program for disadvantaged students is to be carried out in April-May 2025. disadvantaged students achieving targets developed and implemented (for selected grade) (Yes/No) Students benefiting from 0.00 Feb/2023 0.00 05-Aug-2024 0.00 31-Dec-2024 18,000.00 Dec/2029 direct interventions to enhance learning (Number) Students benefiting 0.00 0.00 0.00 9,000.00 from direct interventions to enhance learning - Female (Number) Teachers recruited or trained 0.00 Feb/2023 0.00 05-Aug-2024 114.00 31-Dec-2024 5,300.00 Dec/2029 (Number) 7.00 Feb/2023 7.00 05-Aug-2024 7.00 31-Dec-2024 5.00 Dec/2029 Gender gap in STEM Comments on This indicator measures the participation rates of boys and girls in STEM education. The gap education reduced achieving targets is calculated as the difference in enrollment rates of boys and girls in real profile (proxy for (Percentage) STEM education) in all secondary schools. The enrollment rate is calculated as the number of boys (girls) studying in real profile in grades 9-12 in a given year, expressed as a percentage Feb 26, 2025 Page 5 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Education Quality Improvement Project (P179363) of the total number of boys (girls) enrolled in grades 9-12 (Baseline: Girls: 27%; Boys: 34%; Gender Gap: 7%). Activities related to girls’ participation in STEM education have been included in SIG Operations Manual. Improving the Quality of Learning Environment in Participating Institutions Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Closing Period Indicator Name Value Month/Year Value Date Value Date Value Month/Year Number of schools renovated 0.00 Feb/2023 0.00 05-Aug-2024 0.00 31-Dec-2024 15.00 Dec/2029 under the project that meet Comments on The Coordinating Board approved the list of 15 schools to be renovated under the project. infrastructure requirements achieving targets Design works for rehabilitation of 13 schools have already been launched. (national quality assurance standards including on safety, resilience, inclusion, and sustainability requirements) (Number) Targeted schools equipped 0.00 Feb/2023 0.00 05-Aug-2024 0.00 31-Dec-2024 200.00 Dec/2029 with school labs, IT Comments on The selection of 200 schools for the provision of required equipment has been finalized, and equipment, and teaching and achieving targets the procurement documentation for IT is currently under review by the e-government learning materials including agency. Procurement for furniture and other equipment is also underway. for students with disabilities (Number) Students benefiting from 0 Feb/2023 0.00 05-Aug-2024 0.00 31-Dec-2024 8,500,000 Dec/2029 improved learning Comments on This indicator will measure the number of students which benefit from from improved environment under the achieving targets learning environment in educational institutions rehabilitated, constructed or endowed project (disaggregated by under the project. Rehabilitated and constructed educational institutions are those in urban/rural, refugee/host compliance with the national quality assurance standards. community, gender, vulnerability status, education level) (Text) 0.00 Feb/2023 0.00 05-Aug-2024 0.00 31-Dec-2024 300.00 Dec/2029 Feb 26, 2025 Page 6 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Education Quality Improvement Project (P179363) Number of additional Comments on This indicator will measure the number of additional students (disadvantaged and refugee students achieving targets students from Ukraine) enrolled in preschool premises as a result of their renovation, (disadvantaged/refugee), rehabilitation, and endowment under the project. The list of the 15 preschool institutions to enrolled in preschool be renovated under the project was approved by the Coordinating Board. The indicator is premises renovated and expected to be achieved at the end of 2025. endowed under the project (Number) Number of direct project 0.00 Feb/2023 0.00 05-Aug-2024 0.00 31-Dec-2024 28,000.00 Dec/2029 host community beneficiaries Comments on Initial number of students’ beneficiaries will be confirmed by the baseline study. disaggregated by gender achieving targets (Text) Number of direct 0.00 Feb/2023 0.00 05-Aug-2024 0.00 31-Dec-2024 1,200.00 Dec/2029 beneficiaries (refugees) disaggregated by gender (Text) Number of new high schools 0.00 Feb/2023 0.00 05-Aug-2024 0.00 31-Dec-2024 3.00 Dec/2029 constructed in priority areas Comments on The MoER decision regarding the construction of the new schools will be made based on the that meet infrastructure achieving targets results of the initial feasibility study, which is expected to be completed in spring 2025. requirements under national quality assurance standards (Number) Strengthening the Capacity for Education Sector Management and Refugee Response Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) Closing Period Indicator Name Value Month/Year Value Date Value Date Value Month/Year 0.00 Feb/2023 39.00 05-Aug-2024 42.00 31-Dec-2024 1,000.00 Dec/2029 Number of sector staff Comments on The sector staff engaged in the following capacity-building activities: study visits to model participating in capacity achieving targets schools for 20 experts, conferences on TEACH and ECEC for 4 experts, training of 9 NIEL building trainings under the national mentors in TEACH, preparation of 3 PISA national experts, and training of 3 experts project (Number) both in social and environmental management. No Feb/2023 No 05-Aug-2024 No 31-Dec-2024 Yes Dec/2029 Feb 26, 2025 Page 7 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Education Quality Improvement Project (P179363) Monitoring tool with reliable Comments on Following the approval of the EMIS development priorities by the Bank, a monitoring tool gender-disaggregated data to achieving targets will be developed to provide reliable, gender-disaggregated data for identifying identify disadvantaged disadvantaged students who require accelerated learning. Based on a national-scale rapid students to receive assessment of approximately 27,000 students, the tool will enable the identification of the accelerated learning number of students with learning difficulties, disaggregated by gender. (Yes/No) Improved regulatory 0.00 Feb/2023 1.00 05-Aug-2024 1.00 31-Dec-2024 4.00 Dec/2029 environment for affordable Comments on To enhance the regulatory framework in the field, Government Decision No. 685, dated and quality childcare for achieving targets October 9, 2024, approved the Methodology for financing public pre-primary education preschool children institutions based on a standard cost per child. The pilot implementation of this (Number) methodology will be carried out in 2025. Parents reporting an 0 Feb/2023 0 05-Aug-2024 0 31-Dec-2024 +20% Dec/2029 improved capacity to work Comments on The data will be collected and presented following the baseline study. due to ECEC service provision achieving targets under the project (Text) Impact evaluations of: (i) No Feb/2023 No 05-Aug-2024 No 31-Dec-2024 Yes Dec/2029 tutoring/accelerated learning Comments on ToR is under development. program and (ii) intervention achieving targets to accommodate more children in childcare (disadvantaged and refugees) (Yes/No) Percentage of students and 0.00 Feb/2023 0.00 05-Aug-2024 0.00 31-Dec-2024 85.00 Dec/2029 teachers satisfied with Comments on The percent of school students who are satisfied (satisfied and very satisfied/highly satisfied improved classroom learning achieving targets responses) with teaching and learning environments according to the survey results. The environment and baseline data collection is planned in 2024/25 school year. functionality of schools and preschools under the project (Percentage) 0.00 Feb/2023 0.00 05-Aug-2024 0.00 31-Dec-2024 70.00 Dec/2029 Feb 26, 2025 Page 8 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Education Quality Improvement Project (P179363) Percentage of school users Comments on This indicator will measure the level of satisfaction of school users with the consultation who report that consultation achieving targets processes. At the first stage, the level of satisfaction of school users with the consultation processes are effective process will be measured during the baseline study. Further, an annual survey will be carried (Percentage) out. Feb 26, 2025 Page 9 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Education Quality Improvement Project (P179363) 7. DATA ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 7.1 Cumulative Disbursements 7.2 Disbursements (by loan) Loan/Credit/TF Status Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed TF-C1507 Effective 5.00 5.00 0.00 0.20 4.80 4.00% TF-C1762 Effective 10.00 10.00 0.00 0.41 9.59 4.09% TF-C1484 Effective 4.80 4.80 0.00 0.00 4.80 0% IBRD-95360 Effective 40.00 40.00 0.00 1.63 38.31 4.08% 7.3 Key Dates (by loan) Feb 26, 2025 Page 10 of 11 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Education Quality Improvement Project (P179363) Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Signing Effectiveness Orig. Closing Rev. Closing IBRD-95360 Effective 31-May-2023 30-Jun-2023 11-Sep-2023 31-Dec-2029 31-Dec-2029 TF-C1484 Effective 30-Jun-2023 30-Jun-2023 11-Sep-2023 31-Dec-2027 31-Dec-2027 TF-C1507 Effective 30-Jun-2023 30-Jun-2023 11-Sep-2023 30-Jun-2027 30-Jun-2027 TF-C1762 Effective 30-Jun-2023 30-Jun-2023 11-Sep-2023 31-Dec-2029 31-Dec-2029 8. KEY DATES Key Events Planned Actual Approval 31-May-2023 31-May-2023 Effectiveness 11-Sep-2023 11-Sep-2023 Mid-Term Review No. 01 16-Nov-2026 Operation Closing/Cancellation 31-Dec-2029 9. RESTRUCTURING HISTORY Restructuring Level 2 Approved on 23-Jul-2024 10. ASSOCIATED OPERATION(S) There are no associated operations Feb 26, 2025 Page 11 of 11