The TA will support implementation of the National Education Policy to achieve quality education for all, particularly in the area of good governance and capacity development. The TA will support the management of the ongoing Third Primary Education Development Program (PEDP3), as well as a smooth transition to the next primary education program. The next primary education program will extend coverage up to grade 8, which currently spans to grade 5. PEDP3 provides financing depending on the government achieving a set of annual disbursement linked indicators (DLIs) that are outputs deemed essential to meet the project's objectives. The new primary education program is proposed to follow the same principles, hence a smooth transitionis required. The TA will provide support in improved results reporting and implementation in key results areas as well as support development an approach to expand primary education from grade 5 to grade 8. The TA is a follow-up to TA 8085-BAN: Support for the PEDP3, which supported fiduciary oversight, implementation and results-management in the first five years of the program.

PROJECT RATIONALE AND LINKAGE TO COUNTRY/REGIONAL STRATEGY

Bangladesh has made significant progress in improving the participation and retention rates of boys and girls in primary education. However, challenges remain in reducing dropout and repetition rates and in improving the quality of education, particularly in disadvantaged areas. PEDP3 always had a strong focus on improving the quality of education, while at the same time aiming to sustain and improve where possible the efforts to widen access to education. Success in managing reforms in large systems such as the Bangladesh primary education system depends largely on the government's capacity for effective targeting, planning, and management of resources to achieve the intended results. PEDP3 has since its start supported the development of institutional capacity in planning and financing based on results, has established a robust monitoring and evaluation system, and has promoted accountability for results through improved results reporting. The joint midterm review of PEDP3 confirmed in August 2014 that the results-based approach using the treasury system was yielding good progress. To ensure that the implementation of the program remains on track, achievement of agreed results, must be properly monitored and assessed; and additional implementation support must be given in core result areas such as infrastructure, gender, and quality, especially during the closing of the ongoing program and the transition to the new program, especially for expanding primary education to grade 8. In line with the direction set out in the national education policy and in the Sustainable Development Goal 4, a first draft action plan to expand primary education to grade 8 was developed; it is built upon an implementation strategy prepared for secondary education with ADB TA support in 2012.

IMPACT

An efficient, inclusive, and equitable primary education system in Bangladesh (Third Primary Education Development Project

CONSULTING SERVICES

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education will be the executing agency and the Directorate of Primary Education the implementing agency. ADB will administer the TA. Consulting services will be provided in line with ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants (2013, as amended from time to time) for a total of 31 estimated person-months, comprising 9 person-months of international and 22 person-months of national consultants.

PROCUREMENT

not applicable

Government of Canada: $1.5 million

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF ADB

The Accountability Mechanism is an independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who believe they are likely to be, or have been, adversely affected by an Asian Development Bank-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the Accountability Mechanism, they may investigate to assess whether the Asian Development Bank is following its own policies and procedures for preventing harm to people or the environment. You can learn more about the Accountability Mechanism and how to file a complaint at: http://www.adb.org/site/accountability-mechanism/main

CONTACTS

Responsible ADB Officer Long, Xin
Responsible ADB Department South Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Bangladesh Resident Mission
Executing Agencies Ministry of Primary and Mass Education
Mirpur-2, Dhaka, Bangladesh