Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Education Sector - Ebola Recovery and Reconstruction Project (P154880) Education Sector - Ebola Recovery and Reconstruction Project (P154880) AFRICA | Liberia | Education Global Practice | Recipient Executed Activities | Investment Project Financing | FY 2015 | Seq No: 2 | ARCHIVED on 27-Feb-2017 | ISR27160 | Implementing Agencies: Key Dates Key Project Dates Bank Approval Date:06-Sep-2015 Effectiveness Date:06-Oct-2015 Original Closing Date:31-Dec-2016 Revised Closing Date:28-Feb-2017 Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The project development objective (PDO) is to support the implementation of key elements of the Liberian education sector’s short-term Ebola response plan to minimize the impact of the epidemic on school-age children by safely reopening schools, motivating students and teachers to return to the classroom, and enhancing the quality of learning. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No PHRPDODEL Components Name Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO  Moderately Satisfactory  Moderately Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP)  Moderately Satisfactory  Moderately Satisfactory Implementation Status and Key Decisions Project Context The Ebola Recovery and Reconstruction Project (hereafter referred to as the Project) was financed by the Ebola Recovery and Reconstruction Trust 2/27/2017 Page 1 of 7 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Education Sector - Ebola Recovery and Reconstruction Project (P154880) Fund in the amount of US$1 million, for which the Word Bank was the managing entity. The Project was approved on September 6, 2015 and became effective on October 6, 2015. The original closing date of the Project was December 31, 2016. In December 2016, a level 2 restructuring took place which extended the Project closing date by two months to February 28, 2017. The restructuring did not change the Project Development Objective (PDO) or the Results Framework. The PDO of the project was “to support the implementation of key elements of the Liberian education sector’s short-term Ebola response plan to minimize the impact of the epidemic on school-age children by safely reopening schools, motivating students and teachers to return to the classroom, and enhancing the quality of learning.” Relevance of Objectives, Design and Implementation Objectives and Design. The PDO was very relevant as it directly addressed the needs of Liberia’s education sector in the aftermath of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The EVD epidemic exacted a heavy toll on the education sector: the Ministry of Education (MoE) closed all schools across Liberia for six months in July 2014, leaving 1.5 million children and youth without access to education. While the MoE officially reopened schools on February 16, 2015, many schools—including the majority of private institutions—opted to delay reopening until March 2, 2015 or later. To ensure the safe return of students and teachers back to the classrooms, the Project addressed the emergency needs of the education system and aligned closely with the MoE’s short and medium-term Ebola recovery plan. In particular, the Project’s deworming activities built on evidence from research on the benefits of deworming in reducing worm infections and improving school attendance (Miguel and Kremer 2004). The Project was also designed in coordination with the efforts of other development partners in supporting the recovery of the education sector. Therefore, the relevance of the objective and design is both rated Substantial. Implementation. Project implementation drew knowledge and experience from a number of development projects, particularly in understanding the benefits of implementing deworming activities. The project also referenced expertise from organizations with experience working to address health crises and to support essential services, such as the World Health Organization. Experience of the World Bank in supporting the education sector in Liberia, through the Global Partnership for Education Grant for Basic Education project and the Ebola Emergency Response Project, also benefited project implementation. Therefore, the relevance of project implementation is rated Substantial. Efficacy (Achievement of Project Development Objectives) To date, the following progress has been observed under the project. Component 1: Health and Hygiene One round of deworming activities was completed. 1,290,397 school-age children have been dewormed, including public and private school students and out-of-school children. The deworming medicines were donated by development partners and transportation and distribution were covered under the Project. With efficiency gains and the activity of teacher training not pursued due to insufficient time, the Government decided to carry out a second round of deworming in the 2016/17 school year. The second round of deworming activities is ongoing. The status of the activity will be documented in the ICM. Component 2: Information Dissemination MoE developed the materials for and launched a public information campaign via local and national radio and television stations to announce the protocols related to the school reopening following Ebola. The campaign contributed to increased awareness among parents and communities with regards to safe practices to be followed at the school level upon school reopening. Component 3: Support to Students, Families and Schools The project distributed learning and instructional materials, previously procured under the GPE Grant for Basic Education project, to schools across Liberia in two phases, covering 1) 200,000 reader’s aides; 2) 45,000 sets of books; and 3) 75,000 charts. Due to the extended rainy season and difficult road conditions, there was delay in the second phase of the distribution. While the distribution was completed after the Project was extended to February 28, 2017, it affected the teacher training activity under the Project. There was insufficient time to provide 10,000 teachers refresher training on the use of the learning and instructional materials distributed. It was agreed that the teacher training activities will be carried out under the World Bank Ebola Emergency Response Project . 2/27/2017 Page 2 of 7 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Education Sector - Ebola Recovery and Reconstruction Project (P154880) On the basis of the above, efficacy for the Project is rated Modest. Efficiency The Project experienced some implementation delays, particularly related to the distribution of teaching and learning materials. The extension of the Project provided more time for making implementation progress. The only activity that was not completed prior to the closing date is the teacher training. It has been agreed that this activity will be carried out using funding from the Ebola Emergency Response Project. Therefore, efficiency for the project is rated Substantial. Overall Outcome Rating and Net Disbursements While the disbursement rate was 73 percent in mid-December before the Project was extended, significant disbursement has taken place since then. Currently 100 percent (US$1 million) of Project funding has been disbursed. Therefore, the Overall Outcome Rating for the Project is Moderately Satisfactory. Sustainability The Project was an emergent response to the EVD and addressed the immediate needs after the crisis. It supported the strengthening of MoE capacity in reopening schools and ensuring a safe return of teachers and students back to school. While the financial provision is need-based, the Government has developed the new Getting to Best Education Sector Plan with the support from the World Bank, which has identified priorities for the sector after the recovery. The Getting to Best Education Sector Plan can be an important instrument through which the Government continues to support the education sector. Risks Overall Risk Rating Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Overall  --  Moderate  Moderate Results Project Development Objective Indicators PHINDPDOTBL Percentage of students enrolled in public schools (out of 2014 enrollment) one year after official reopening date (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 124.00 124.00 90.00 Date 01-Oct-2015 01-Nov-2016 22-Feb-2017 28-Feb-2017 2/27/2017 Page 3 of 7 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Education Sector - Ebola Recovery and Reconstruction Project (P154880) PHINDPDOTBL Direct project beneficiaries (Number, Core) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 1,290,397.00 1,290,397.00 600,000.00 Date 01-Oct-2015 01-Nov-2016 22-Feb-2017 28-Feb-2017 PHINDPDOTBL Female beneficiaries (Percentage, Core Supplement) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 54.00 54.00 50.00 Overall Comments Intermediate Results Indicators PHINDIRITBL Radio broadcasts aired (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value N Y Y Y Date 01-Oct-2015 01-Nov-2016 22-Feb-2017 28-Feb-2017 2/27/2017 Page 4 of 7 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Education Sector - Ebola Recovery and Reconstruction Project (P154880) PHINDIRITBL Number of teachers who completed curriculum refresher training (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 10,000.00 Date 01-Oct-2015 01-Nov-2016 22-Feb-2017 28-Feb-2017 PHINDIRITBL Number of students who received deworming medicines (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 1,290,397.00 1,290,397.00 600,000.00 Date 01-Oct-2015 01-Nov-2016 22-Feb-2017 28-Feb-2017 PHINDIRITBL Number of reader's aid distributed (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 118,289.00 200,000.00 200,000.00 Date 01-Oct-2015 01-Nov-2016 22-Feb-2017 28-Feb-2017 PHINDIRITBL Number of sets of books distributed (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 23,996.00 45,000.00 45,000.00 Date 01-Oct-2015 01-Nov-2016 22-Feb-2017 28-Feb-2017 2/27/2017 Page 5 of 7 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Education Sector - Ebola Recovery and Reconstruction Project (P154880) PHINDIRITBL Number of charts distributed (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 62,800.00 75,000.00 75,000.00 Date 01-Oct-2015 01-Nov-2016 22-Feb-2017 28-Feb-2017 Overall Comments Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed Disbursed P154880 TF-A1017 Effective USD 1.00 1.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 100% Key Dates (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P154880 TF-A1017 Effective 30-Sep-2015 06-Oct-2015 06-Oct-2015 31-Dec-2016 28-Feb-2017 Cumulative Disbursements 2/27/2017 Page 6 of 7 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Education Sector - Ebola Recovery and Reconstruction Project (P154880) Restructuring History Level 2 Approved on 24-Dec-2016 Related Project(s) There are no related projects. 2/27/2017 Page 7 of 7 Public Disclosure Copy