Vocational education project Report No: ; Type: Report/Evaluation Memorandum ; Country: South Korea; Region: East Asia And Pacific; Sector: Vocational/Technical Education & Training; Major Sector: Education; ProjectID: P004162 The Korea Vocational Education project, supported by Loan 3314-KO for US$30.0 million equivalent, was approved in FY91. The loan was closed on schedule on June 30, 1996, and the undisbursed balance of US$0.4 million was canceled. The East Asia and Pacific Regional Office prepared the Implementation Completion Report (ICR). The borrower’s full report on the implementation and achievements of the project is included as annex C. Project objectives were to upgrade skills training in selected vocational high schools in line with the country’s economic and industrial development and to enhance the capability of the provincial and urban offices of education to manage and implement vocational school projects. The project financed upgraded equipment along with relevant training and maintenance. The project succeeded in fulfilling its objectives. Equipment was acquired according to curricular needs, as planned. Bank staff reviewed a sample of equipment management and maintenance activities and found utilization satisfactory. The only problem that arose during implementation was delays in procurement that occurred because equipment procurement functions were decentralized to local offices of education. The local offices needed time to learn Bank procurement procedures, but a major reorganization of the Ministry of Education (MOE) at the same time created uncertainties regarding their role. Thus, disbursements for the first two years of the project were low. Nevertheless, the MOE put in place effective policies and procedures to support project coordination and implementation. Approval of the project by the National Assembly ensured the budgetary commitments necessary to sustain the benefits of the investment. The Operations Evaluation Department agrees with the ICR ratings. Project outcome is rated as highly satisfactory, sustainability as likely, and institutional development as substantial. Bank performance is rated as satisfactory. Although project supervision was relatively limited, the government instituted effective implementation mechanisms. Competent borrower managers made sure that the project was completed by the original completion date. Project outcomes underline the importance of competent management. As projects are increasingly decentralized to local implementation agencies, it is important that the staff of these agencies learn to carry out international procurement. Also, acceptance by local legislative bodies may make it easier to obtain budgetary allocations and to ensure sustainability. The ICR is satisfactory. No audit is planned.