The project will support the Government of Uzbekistan’s efforts to improve the quality of basic education and increase the effectiveness of teaching and learning in the country.

The second phase of the Basic Education Project will build upon the capacity developed and lessons learned in the first phase of the project, which is still under implementation, to help the Ministry of Public Education to implement new activities and foster broad education reform.

Accomplishments of phase one include: a standardized assessment of student learning designed and implemented for grades 4 and 8; teacher training materials developed and facilitators and experts trained; increased community involvement in school decision making at project schools; and per capita financing designed and implemented in two oblasts and Tashkent city.

"We are pleased that the second phase of the Basic Education Project has been signed today and that the Bank has the opportunity to continue to support the Uzbek Government’s program to raise the quality of basic education and improve the effectiveness of teaching and learning," said Loup Brefort, the World Bank’s Country Manager for Uzbekistan.

"Important first steps have begun under phase one of the Project and phase two will build on and extend the capacity now being developed. We look forward to strong implementation and positive results in improving education for young people in Uzbekistan," he added.

The Project, like the first phase, continues to have five closely related components grouped in two main areas. The first three components are targeted towards improvement of teaching and learning conditions in project schools and preschools in poor, rural areas.

The second area consists of two components that are oriented towards improving the efficiency, management and monitoring capacity of the sector, including developing a system of national assessment and implementation of per capita financing of schools.

The Project’s five components are: Providing Learning Materials and Resources for Grades Five to Nine in 1501 General Schools; Strengthening School-Based Training for Teachers and Principals in Preschools and General Secondary Schools; Strengthening School Boards and Providing Competitive Grants to Selected Schools for School Improvement; Improving Education Finance, Budgeting and Management; and Supporting Project Management and Results Management.

By the time both phases of the project are completed the young people of Uzbekistan should be benefiting from more effective teaching and learning in general secondary schools. New teaching and learning materials will be provided to project schools and preschools and assessment of student learning will be carried out on a periodic basis with reports and public discussion of results.

Teaching practices should also be improved as a result of new interactive School Based Teacher Training. Transparency, predictability, efficiency, and equity in school education financing is expected to improve through expansion of per capita financing.

Uzbekistan joined the World Bank in 1992. The World Bank’s mission in the country is to improve people’s livelihoods through being a partner in economic reforms, supporting the modernization of the country’s social sectors and infrastructure, and sharing its knowledge and experience with the government and the people of Uzbekistan. Total World Bank commitments to Uzbekistan amount to about US$780 million.