The Education III project – Basic Education Improvement

• Reference: P-MZ-IA0-006
• Approval date: 13/09/2001
• Start date: 03/03/2006
• Appraisal Date: 08/06/2001
• Status: OngoingOnGo
• Location: Throughout Mozambique
• Implementing Agency: BANCO DE MOCAMBIQUE

In Mozambique the success of primary education has put secondary education under high pressure. Enrollments in ES1 (low secondary level) have tripled since 2002; the 2005/2006 year-on-year increase was 25%. ES2 (upper secondary level) enrollment has almost quadrupled since 2002 and increased by 30% in 2006 over the preceding year.

Priority requirements in lower secondary education, as well as technical and vocational education, and inadequacies in educational management are critical to the improvement of the overall efficiency of the education system.

The Education III project, which is ongoing, was approved in 1998. The objective of this project on Basic Education Improvement is to contribute to increased access to and improved quality of basic education, especially in deprived rural areas in Maputo, Inhambane, Manica, Sofala and Cabo Delgado. The main focus is on:

• Lower Secondary Education: Interventions under this component comprised the construction of two secondary schools at Caia and Espungabera in Sofala and Manica Provinces, supply of furniture, equipment, textbooks and a vehicle. The secondary school at Caia is in full operation with a total of 1187 students in three shifts (morning, afternoon and night).
• Primary Teacher Training: Construction and equipment of two IMAPS (Primary Teacher Training Centre) with a capacity of 210 students in Cabo Delgado and Inhambane Provinces.
  Both the IMAPs of Vilankulo and Pemba have been in operation since the 2005 academic year. The AfDB is also financing the renovation of IMAP-Vilankulo which was damaged by a storm in February 2007.
• Distance Education: Construction, furniture and equipment of the IAP headquarters (Institute for Teacher Improvement) in Marracuene, (including the seven staff houses) and alterations to 7 Provincial Education Units.

KUNENE Benedict Vusi Boy - OSHD2