Albania

Strengthening management and planning capacities in the Education sector

Activities: Following the recommendations of a UNESCO intersectoral mission to Albania (February 1998), UNESCO identified new priority activities for implementation. It also explored the possibilities to realign the objectives of the ongoing extra-budgetary projects according to priorities set forth by the Albanian Government. Thus, the remaining funds from the UNDP-financed project ALB/96/002 "Strengthening management and planning capacities in the education sector" could be used to provide the Ministry of Education and Science with necessary equipment and materials.

Updated: 13 October 1999

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Support to the improvement of the management capacities in the education sector

Activities: UNESCO continued the implementation of UNDP-financed project BIH/97/048 for the improvement of management capacities in the Education sector of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Civil servants from the Ministries of Education in Sarajevo and in Middle Bosnian Canton benefited from study tours and training courses in Hungary, UK and at UNESCO-IIEP (Paris). The topics studied were, inter alia, curriculum planning and development, teacher management, budgeting and financial management techniques, etc. A conceptual plan for the computerized education management instrument (called EMIS) had been developed under this project and handed over to the national educational authorities.

Updated: 13 October 1999

Rehabilitation of schools

Activities: 431/BHI/17 – “Repair and furnishing of Schools”. The objective of this project which has been running since June 1996, is to repair and furnish schools in disadvantaged areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina with a view to improving access to basic education and to contribute to the stability of the communities where schools are located. Presently, the rehabilitation of the project schools has been completed and furniture and educational materials and books delivered. Proposals for the use of remaining funds are in the process of being elaborated.

Resulting from experience gathered during the implementation of this project a policy for school building rehabilitation was developed together with UNESCO Sarajevo. The policy adopts a more holistic approach to improving the learning environment by not only rehabilitating the built fabric of school buildings but also providing basic educational materials, creating reading corners as well as outdoor playgrounds.

Updated: 21 September 1999

Republic of Georgia

Pipeline project - Rehabilitation of the 1st Secondary School in Telavi

Activities: In order to assist the Ministry of Education in their goal of improving quality of education in Georgia, UNESCO, together with the Ministry, prepared a project proposal for the rehabilitation of the 1st Secondary School in Telavi. The main objective is to generate a ‘model’ example of an educational institution by improving the physical environment and amenities in the school, located in a site of historical significance, thus facilitating implementation of the Educational Reform Programme. The project, given the school’s already excellent reputation and its’ location, would serve as a prototype and inspiration for future ventures. UNESCO is currently seeking extra-budgetary finance for the project.

Updated: 21 January 1999

Latvia

Restoration of a Hanseatic storehouse in Riga Old Town, Latvia

Activities: Within the framework of the approved UNESCO participation programme concerning the feasibility study for the restoration of a Hanseatic storehouse in Riga Old Town, a complete survey of the building was carried out including photographic documentation and soil bearing capacity tests inside and outside the building. Based upon findings in the feasibility study a conservation design proposal was prepared for the conversion of the store into a training and information centre for heritage protection with National and Baltic significance.

Updated: 21 January 1999

Romania

Preservation of the Probota Monastery

Activities:

1. 536/ROM/70 – “International Support for the Restoration and Preservation of the Probota Monastery”. Within the framework of this project, UNESCO has carried out the conservation work of the Probota Monastary. International and national teams are working together in order to exchange experiences and decide on the best methods to be applied in the conservation work. The second archaeological campaign which was carried out from April to September 1998, investigated the monastery compound. The excavations adjacent to the enceinte brought to light four different buildings which are dating from between the 16th and 19th century. The archaeological site of Probota monastery is part of a larger architectural ensemble. In order to protect the mural paintings, the installation of a floor heating system and the laying of a new church floor were undertaken with a view to completing the restoration of the church and to avoid future problems. The involvement of national and international students and graduate students proved to be very valuable for the project implementation, and this also offered them a first-hand experience with real working problems. In order to assure minimum living conditions for experts and non-local staff working in the project, a UNESCO temporary house was built in co-operation with the Archbishop who contributed with locally available materials, and labourers. During 1999, project activities continued. This included mural painting conservation, finalization of the church floor, the conservation treatment of all icons as well as the structural parts of the iconostasis. The result of the archaeological campaign are now available in a fully documented report.

2. 536/ROM/71 - “Documentation and theme page for the Restoration of the Probota Monastery in Romania” A web-site was launched on the project and is now available under www.probotamonastery.ro. The project proposal for the digitisation of all documentation related to UNESCO’s activities in Probota was approved and the computerisation of documentation was extensively carried out. Documented on the database will be information on Probota Monastery’s history as well as the restoration procedures and techniques employed. The computerised database will contain documentation on all aspects of the restoration process in the form of texts, illustrations and photographs as well as information on the history of the monument since its construction. It will be established as a Geographical Information System (GIS) with different layers of information and many cross reference files that enable information to be easily updated, retrieved, duplicated and shared among specialists working for the restoration of Probota Monastery. Constant updating of the database will provide the user with information on the latest events and projects, at national and international levels.

Updated: 21 September 1999

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

Dominican Republic

Technical Assistance for Disaster preparedness

Activities: Technical Assistance - Disaster preparedness. Following the devastation caused by Hurricane George in September 1998, UNESCO fielded a high level consultant mission to the Dominican Republic during which a national seminar was held to advise on the rehabilitation and construction of damaged schools. Rough estimates indicate that nearly one third of school buildings were affected by the hurricane. Follow up activities to the mission include a) Preparation of Wind Load Tables for the Dominican Republic, for use by architects and engineers in disaster preparedness building design. b) Pursuit of the idea of setting up a research centre in the Dominican Republic for the development and application of practical solutions to mitigate damages caused by hurricane forces. c) Establishment of a UNESCO Chair specialised in training architects in designing for disaster conditions at a selected National University, and making twinning arrangements with the existing UNESCO Chair in Tropical Architecture at Australia’s Institute of Tropical Architecture (AITA) James Cook University, Queensland.

Updated: 21 September 1999

Bâtiments et mobilier éducatifs

Activities:

Faisant suite à la deuxième réunion de la Commission mixte Haiti-UNESCO, l’UNESCO a envoyé une mission en Haiti du 28 février au 9 mars 1997 à la demande du Ministère de l’Education National, de la Jeunesse et des Sports (MENJS). La mission a élaboré un document de projet portant sur la formulation de normes nationales pour la conception de bâtiments éducatifs avec un coût de US$ 381.000. Le projet a été approuvé par le Ministre de l’Education Nationale, de la Jeunesse et des Sports et les premiers contacts ont été pris avec des bailleurs de fonds potentiels.

Conception et développement des mobiliers scolaires. En 1997, l’UNESCO a lancé une étude préalable du mobilier scolaire ainsi qu’une estimation des besoins dans ce domaine. L’objectif de cette étude était de développer, de concevoir et de présenter des prototypes pour les différents niveaux éducatifs. L’étude a été entreprise par une ONG locale, l’UNESCO étant chargé de la supervision du projet.

Updated: 12 October 1999

ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

Afghanistan

Technical assistance to develop national capacities on textbook publishing and educational industries

Activities: 209/AFG/21 – "Production and Provision of Instructional Materials for Basic Education in Afghanistan". The aim of the project was to provide reading materials to Afghanistan, where the education system collapsed many years ago. The strategy applied was to create a private publishing house, independent from the changing government’s pressures, so that under any political circumstances, attractive and relevant books and magazines are available for the population in their efforts of education.

Assistance to the North of Afghanistan (earthquake stricken area). The provision of basic shelter for the sinistered areas not being under UNESCO’s mandate, colourfully illustrated children’s boks of Afghan legends were distributed to the children traumatized during the earthquake.

Assistance for preparing, printing and distributing a monthly cartoon magazine New Home, New Life (following the Soap Opera) and the provision of exercise books to support the literacy component of the Soap Opera.

Contribution to BBC AEP Project to undertake a long term impact evaluation of the Soap Opera "New Home, New Life" and to purchase cassettes for rebroadcast the programme.

Updated: 21 January 1999

Bhutan

Reaching the unreached, a priority for securing Education for All

Activities: Pipeline project - “First Phase for the Development of a Learning Centre for Youth, Timphu”. Upon the request of the Bhutanese authorities, UNESCO assisted the Division of Education in the elaboration of a Master Plan and a Project Document for a Youth Centre in Motihtang, Timphu which comprises both an educational and an architectural component. Within the framework of the educational component a plan has been prepared which defines target beneficiaries and their needs and corresponding activities to be carried out at the Youth Centre. Activities include career guidance and orientation and continued skill-based learning opportunities to youth, as well as social and cultural activities. The architectural component includes a comprehensive survey of the existing building (formerly Motithang Hotel) and development of a design/rehabilitation proposal which meets the needs defined in the educational plan. Based on the master plan a project proposal has been developed.

The Master Plan was completed in March 1999 and fully endorsed by the Minister of Health and Education and the Ministry of Finance. Presently, extrabudgetary funding is being sought from potential donors for the implementation of this project.

Updated: 21 September 1999

Cambodia

Capacity Building in Education and Human Resources Sector Management

Activities: The project CMB/91/009 aims at creating a critical mass of national capacity needed to develop and strengthen the policy management and cost-effective management of the resources of the education sector and includes three components : (i) a staff development programme in basic education sector management skills, (ii) the creation of an Education Management Information System (EMIS) and the development of analysis capacity, (iii) the capacity development in applied education sector analysis and planning. The activities undertaken so far unclude:

Training component: development of 3 training manuals on planning and management on the basis of 7 training modules produced in 1997; conducting on-the-job training of trainers (March-May 1998); organization of 6 training sessions (June-December 1998) for Cambodian education administrators from central and provincial levels (800 participants).

EMIS component: development of provincial level capacity to maintain EMIS (training and equipment); completion and operationalization of PC-based simulation model; applying EMIS in sector analysis process and planning; producting the 1997/1998 Education Statistics and Indicators books at national level and for each of 23 provinces.

Sector planning component: medium-term education outline plans produced by five working groups (one national and four provincial) composed of education administrators trained by the project, at the end of four education sector planning workshops; holding of a national education sector planning seminar in order to present and discuss the plans.

Updated: 21 January 1999

Nepal

Pipeline project – Conversion of historical buildings into educational spaces

Activities: Pipeline project - UNESCO fielded a mission to Nepal in October 1998 to discuss the outline of a project proposal for the rehabilitation of historic buildings into facilities to be used for educational purposes. As a result of a number of visits to potential sites a proposal was made to convert three historic buildings into a) a community learning centre b) a ten grade school, and c) a kindergarten. A project outline was formulated in April 1999 for the development of detailed project proposals. Activities include the definition of the social and educational context of the three institutions; development of comprehensive educational programmes for the institutions; detailed surveys of the buildings and preparation of preliminary architectural design which meet the needs of the educational programmes; training of counterparts and the preparation of three detailed project proposals. The project outline has been submitted to potential donors for possible financing.

Updated: 21 September 1999

AFRICA

Burkina Faso (In French)

Les activités du Groupe de Travail sur l’Analyse Sectorielle en Education

Activities: L’UNESCO a coordonné les activités du Groupe de Travail sur l’Analyse Sectorielle en Education (GTASE) de l’Association pour le Développement de l’Education en Afrique (ADEA). Les activités entreprises à ce jour sont les suivantes: Projet de Revue nationale de l’analyse sectorielle en éducation (une équipe nationale est chargée de la revue des études sectorielles et analyse l’environnement politique dans lequel elles seront conduites avec pour objectif principal l’amélioration de leur qualité et de leur utilisation); Mission exploratoire pour étudier la faisabilité du projet et déterminer l’opportunité de la revue, avril 1997; Mission et séminaire de lancement avec des représentants officiels, une équipe de chercheurs et des représentants des bailleurs de fonds, novembre 1998; Séminaire de discussion et diffusion des résultats de la Revue nationale en mai 1999; Distribution de la lettre d’information du Groupe de Travail sur l’ Analyse Sectorielle en Education (GTASE), 1999; Distribution de la publication Analyses, programmes et priorités pour l’éducation en Afrique, 1998; Une personne contact et un membre du Comité Directeur pour le GTASE ont été nommés au Burkina Faso et ont participé à la réunion du Comité directeur en décembre 1998.

Updated: 21 Janvier 1999

Chad (In french)

Programme-cadre Education et Formation en relation avec l’emploi

Activities:

Updated: 31 August 1999

Congo (Brazaville) (In French)

Appui à la préparation des politiques, stratégies et plans d’actions prioritaires du secteur de l’éducation

Activités: PRC/98/001. Ce projet, financé par le PNUD et exécuté par l'UNESCO, a pour but de financer l'assistance technique au Gouvernement du Congo pour la préparation d'un plan d'action prioritaire du secteur de l'éducation sur trois ans( 1999-2001) qui devait être présenté à une table ronde sectorielle de bailleurs de fonds dont la tenue a été différée à une date ultérieure. Les travaux ont été réalisés entre Juin et Novembre 1998 (deux missions courtes préparatoires en Juin et Septembre 1998 et une mission lourde de cinq experts en octobre/novembre 1998). Le Rapport final présentant le diagnostic du système éducatif, les axes de stratégie et le plan d’action sur trois ans, a été soumis début décembre 1998 au Gouvernement.

Updated: 21 janvier 1999

Democratic Republic of Congo (In French)

Propositions de réhabilitation et reconstruction des bâtiments scolaires endommagés

Activities: Dans le cadre d'une mission d'assistance technique interdisciplinaire effectuée par le Siège de l'UNESCO en octobre/novembre 1998, un Plan d'actions prioritaires, d'une durée de trois ans, a été élaboré. Ce plan comprend, à tous les niveaux scolaires, des propositions de réhabilitation et de reconstruction des bâtiments éducatifs endommagés, ainsi que la fourniture de mobilier et d'équipements scolaires.

Updated: 21 janvier 1999

Ethiopia

Support to the MOE and Regions for Education Sector Development Programme (ESDP) formulation and follow-up

Activities: ETH/97/003: SPPD project for support to education sector development programme (ESDP). Joint donors technical assistance missions (JDTAM) coordinated by the World Bank, within UNSIA initiative, were launched to assist the Ethiopian Government and Regions to develop their decenal education sector development programme. UNDP and UNESCO were asssigned as lead agencies for Capacity Building component of the programme. Three JDTAM were launched during 1997 and 1998.

Updated: 31 August 1999

Activities on the Working Group on Education Sector Analysis

Activities: UNESCO has co-ordinated the activities of the Working Group on Education Sector Analysis (WGESA)  of the Association for Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). Activities undertaken so far include: The project "Studies of Education in Ethiopia" - The review of education sector studies covering the period 1994-97 was carried out by a team of national consultants under the supervision of an international consultant with the main aim of articulating ways of improving information sharing and co-ordination among the partners involved in the sector. The review was conducted within the European Union Horizon 2000 Initiative under the coordination of GTZ (Germany) and DFID (the United Kingdom); WGESA has provided in-country technical assistance and published the report in 1999). Resource persons for WGESA appointed; Distribution of WGESA Newsletter, 1999.

Updated: 13 October 1999

Ghana

Activities of the Working Group on Education Sector Analysis

Activities: UNESCO has co-ordinated the activities of the Working Group on Education Sector Analysis (WGESA) of the Association For Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). Activities undertaken so far include: Project "National Review of Education Sector Analysis" - Identification and analysis of education studies covering the period 1987-98, as well as analysis of the political environment of the studies by a national team. The overall aim is to improve the quality and utilisation of sector studies; Mission aimed at sensitising ministry personnel, members of the research community and agencies to the purpose of the review, May 1998; Missions in connection with launching seminar, February 1999, and dissemination seminar, May 1999; Study on Effective Partnerships between Ministries of Education and International Funding and Technical Agencies, 1999; Appointment of resource persons and contact person for WGESA; Distribution of WGESA Newsletter, 1999; Distribution of the publication Analyses, Agendas and Priorities for Education in Africa, 1998.

Updated: 13 October 1999

Lesotho

Activities of the Working Group on Education Sector Analysis

Activities: UNESCO has co-ordinated the activities of the Working Group on Education Sector Analysis (WGESA) of the Association for Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). Activities undertaken so far include: The project "National Review of Education Sector Analysis" - Identification and analysis of education studies, as well as analysis of the political environment of the studies by a national team. The overall aim is to improve the quality and utilisation of sector studies; A seminar to heighten awareness of education sector analysis was held in November 1998 with the participation of two WGESA consultants providing technical inputs; The study started in April 1999.

Updated: 13 October 1999

Mali (In French)

Assistance technique pour la rénovation des sytèmes éducatifs

Activities: Après l'achèvement de l'élaboration du Programme décennal de développement de l'éducation (PRODEC) préparé dans le cadre du projet Appui à la formulation et à la mise en oeuvre d'un programme de développement de l'éducation (MLI/91/030), un appui technique a été apporté au Gouvernement du Mali pour la finalisation des documents destinés à la Table ronde des bailleurs de fonds, qui s'est tenue avec succès à Bamako du 25 au 28 juin 1998.

Préalablement à cette Table ronde, le PNUD et le Gouvernement avaient exprimé le souhait qu'une mission de pré-identification d'un projet d'appui à la mise en oeuvre du Programme décennal de développement de l'éducation soit effectuée par l'UNESCO. En concertation avec les Unités du Siège concernées par les différentes composantes du projet à identifier (Appui institutionnel, Culture de la paix, Scolarisation des filles et alphabétisation des femmes, Programme TOKTEN pour l'enseignement supérieur), une équipe intersectorielle s'est rendue à Bamako du 11 au 18 février 1998 à cet effet.

Le document "Projet d'appui à la mise en oeuvre du Programme décennal de développement de l'éducation - pré-identification" (mars 1998), élaboré à l'issue de cette mission a permis de mobiliser $ 6,000,000 auprès du PNUD et de la coopération norvégienne (NORAD). Un document de projet a par la suite été élaboré sous forme de Document d'Appui au Programme (DAP). Ce nouveau projet DAP d'exécution nationale démarrera incessemment, l'UNESCO sera invitée à réaliser une partie des activités du projet.

Updated: 13 octobre 1999

Mozambique

Norms and standards for educational buildings

Activities: Pipeline project – “Norms and standards for educational buildings”. Upon the request of the Minister of Education of the Republic of Mozambique a mission was carried out to Mozambique in December 1997 by UNESCO HQs, together with a consultant architect, to study the existing situation of school buildings and to develop a project for national norms and standards for school buildings and furniture. The mission visited selected rural and urban primary schools and gathered preliminary information on different school types, costing , building materials, and construction techniques. In addition a survey form on school construction costs was designed. An Aide-Memoire was signed with the Minister of Education with a view to preparing a project proposal on norms and standards for educational buildings in Mozambique. As a follow up of the mission UNESCO provided the Ministry of Education with a revised survey form which was translated into Portuguese for use by the Ministry. The survey was carried out in various provinces of Mozambique to obtain a good cross-section of school buildings. Once the final analysis of the results of the survey will be completed, it is planned to hold a seminar in Maputo to discuss the results of the survey and at the same time finalize the above mentioned project proposal. A first project outline was drafted in June 1999 for submission to potential donors.

Updated: 21 January 1999

Activities of the Working Group on Education Sector Analysis

Activities: UNESCO has co-ordinated the activities of the Working Group on Education Sector Analysis (WGESA) of the Association for Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). Activities undertaken so far include: Mozambique/Nordic/Dutch Joint Initiative in Education Sector Analysis: WGESA project on National review of education sector analysis 1990-98 (design of framework for activities and design of tender documents, technical inputs to the process and final publication of study); Mission to provide technical inputs in connection with a seminar reviewing proposals from national teams, January 1999; Two to three missions for further technical inputs, February-July 1999; WGESA steering committee member, and a contact person for WGESA participated in steering committee meetings July and December 1998; Distribution of WGESA Newsletter 1999; Distribution of the publication Analyses, Agendas and Priorities for Education in Africa 1998.

Updated: 21 January 1999

Rwanda (In French)

Analyse sectorielle en éducation

Activities: Dans le cadre du projet RWA/97/006 "Appui à la coordination et programmation de l'aide au développement du Rwanda", l'UNESCO a collaboré avec le Ministère de l'éducation à l'élaboration de trois documents destinés aux Consultations des bailleurs de fonds sur l'éducation, la sécurité alimentaire et le secteur privé (tenues en février 1999). Ces documents sont : " l'Étude du secteur de l'éducation au Rwanda ", le " Plan d'action pour l'éducation au Rwanda (1998-2000) : Redressement et développement " et le " Document de travail pour la Consultation sectorielle de l'éducation ". Ces documents constituent des outils de référence, pour la coordination, le suivi et les actions de redressement du secteur de l'éducation au Rwanda après les événements tragiques de 1994.

Updated: 21 January 1999

Senegal (In French)

Assistance technique pour la rénovation des systèmes éducatifs

Activities: SEN/97/001 "Appui à la formulation d'un programme de développement de l'éducation de base", Projet SPPD PNUD/UNESCO conçu et réalisé dans le cadre de l'Initiative Spéciale des Nations Unies pour l'Afrique (UNSIA), et dont l'objectif est de fournir au Gouvernement sénégalais les appuis techniques nécessaires pour l'élaboration d'un programme décennal de développement de l'éducation de base.

Les appuis techniques apportés au Ministère de l'Education de base tout au long du processus de formulation de la politique de ce sous-secteur ont conduit à l'élaboration d'un Plan décennal comportant une stratégie de mise en oeuvre et un programme d'action chiffré incluant des éléments de financement et de cadrage macro-économique ("Programme décennal pour l'éducation de base - Document de politique éducative et plan d'action 1998-2008", juillet 1998). Ce sous-secteur est d'ores et déjà prêt pour la Table ronde sectorielle, mais cette dernière ne peut être réunie avant l'achèvement des travaux d'élaboration du Plan décennal des autres sous-secteurs, auxquels la Banque mondiale apporte son appui technique et financier.

Deux séminaires de formation à la compréhension et à l'utilisation des modèles de simulation ont été organisés en France pour les cadres de l'enseignement de base et de l'enseignement secondaire appelés à les utiliser. En préparation à la Table ronde finale, le projet a également appuyé la préparation des documents destinés aux partenaires techniques et financiers.

Mise à jour: 13 October 1999

South Africa

Activities on the Working Group on Education Sector Analysis

Activities: UNESCO has co-ordinated the activities of the Working Group on Education Sector Analysis (WGESA) of the Association for Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). Activities undertaken so far include: WGESA Steering committee meeting, approximately 20 participants, July 1998, Cape Town; WGESA steering committee meeting foreseen for December 1999, Johannesburg.

Updated: 21 January 1999

Zambia

Activities of the Working Group on Education Sector Analysis

Activities: UNESCO has co-ordinated the activities of the Working Group on Education Sector Analysis (WGESA) of the Association for Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). Activities undertaken so far include: Meetings held in Lusaka in February 1998, and foreseen for March 1999 as part of the SADC "Initiative in Educational Policy Development, Planning and Management". WGESA also provided technical inputs to preparation phase; Distribution of the publication Analyses, Agendas and Priorities for Education in Africa, 1998.

Updated: 21 January 1999

Zimbabwe

Activities of the Working Group on Education Sector Analysis

Activities: UNESCO has co-ordinated the activities of the Working Group on Education Sector Analysis (WGESA) of the Association for Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). Activities undertaken so far include: The Zimbabwe Education Sector Analysis: Identification and analysis by a national team of education studies covering the period 1990-96. The overall aim is to improve the quality and utilisation of sector studies. Publication expected in 1999; Presentation of a paper by a professor from the University of Zimbabwe at the Seminar "Education Reform in the South", Paris, December 1998; Contact and resource persons for WGESA appointed; Distribution of the publication Analyses, Agendas and Priorities for Education in Africa, 1998.

Updated: 21 Janvier 1999

ARAB STATES

Iraq

Study – Improving the learning environment in Iraq

Activities: 1. Study - Improving the learning environment in Iraq. Production of a study describing the experiences and lessons learnt from UNESCO's participation in the UN Inter-Agency Humanitarian Programme for Iraq covering the period 1993 to 1997. The report includes elements related to improving the learning environment in Iraq through school rehabilitation and construction projects, local production of school furniture and provision of educational materials and equipment. The study is planned to be completed in 1999.

2. Design of a secondary school in Baghdad. Upon the request of the Iraqi Authorities, a mission was fielded in June 1999 to look into the design of a secondary girls' school in Baghdad. During the mission, a site was identified and discussed with the National Authorities and basic educational specifications were obtained. Based on these initial discussions, a project outline was prepared, including the conceptual design of the school. Moreover, a model of the school was developed. A mission was undertaken to Baghdad in September 1999 to present the design and the model of the school on which occasion the ceremony for the laying of the cornerstone took place.

Updated: 21 September 1999

Activities:

In July 1999, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia approved a project entitled "Planning, research, design, construction and maintenance of school buildings" (Saudi Arabia) under the UNESCO/Kingdom of Saudi Arabia funds-in-trust co-operation – self-benefiting project. The total amount of the project is 553.500 US$. The project was initially prepared during a UNESCO mission to Saudi Arabia in March 1997. Project implementation is planned to start once all formalities are settled.

Under the Participation Programme 1996/1997, a request was approved and carried out. This consisted in the mission of a consultant architect to Saudi Arabia from March to May 1997. The consultant’s tasks were: to study six selected Design Models with a view to effect some limited improvements (functional, thermal and visual comfort) and to reduce the building cost per student place; and to review technical specifications, bidding documents and contract procedures in order to provide some preliminary recommendations.

Updated: 7 September 1999

Morocco (In French)

Normalisation des espaces de l'enseignement fondamental et secondaire

Activities: Dans le cadre du projet "Amélioration de l'enseignement primaire en milieu rural" (702/MOR/10), l'UNESCO assiste le Gouvernement marocain dans le développement de ses normes et standards des bâtiments et du mobilier scolaire de l'enseignement primaire et secondaire. Le projet a produit 10 études autour du thème principal "la normalisation des espaces éducatifs". Deux voyages d'étude ont été organisés à cet effet pour les spécialistes marocains au Mexique, au Vénézuela et en France, en Angleterre et en Suisse. De l'équipement informatique et de la documentation ont été acquis au tire du projet.

Au cours d'une mission au Maroc en 1998, l'édition finale et la publication de huit études réalisées a été décidée. D'autres activités à entreprendre dans le cadre du projet, comme par exemple un guide sur la maintenance et la gestion des bâtiments, mobilier et matériel scolaires existants sont enviagées. Il a également été décidé de lancer une compétition au niveau national sur la conception et la production de mobilier scolaire selon les spécifications techniques préparées par l'UNESCO. Actuellement, l'édition finale et la publication des études réalisées et approuvées sont en cours.

Updated: 21 September 1999

Mauritania (In French or English)

Technical assistance to develop national capacities on textbook publishing and educational industries

Activities: 507/MAU10 – "Improvement of the Quality of Instructional Materials". The aim of the project was to assist the Government of Mauritania in strengthening the Publishing and Printing Department of the National Pedagogical Institute (IPN) which was created by decree no. 011 on the 25 January 1997, in order to bring textbook conception and publication up to the required standard. Project activities included study tours for 24 trainees from the different departments of the IPN and multi-disciplinary training workshops organized by three consultants in textbook publishing, illustration and evaluation. In order to solve problems with manuscripts and pedagogical information, a computer and Resograph were purchased with the remaining funds of the budget.

Updated: 21 January 1999

Appui à la mise en place de l’Observatoire de développement humain durable

Activities: Dans le cadre de l'Initiative de Développement Humain adoptée par le Gouvernement mauritanien en 1995, le projet MAU/97/006, a pour but d'apporter un appui institutionnel à la mise en place et au fonctionnement d'un Observatoire de Développement Humain Durable (ODHD), et d'assister le gouvernement mauritanien à formuler une stratégie et un plan d'action national de DHD Le projet comporte trois composantes : (i) la mise en place de l'ODHD, (ii) l'élaboration d'une stratégie et d'un plan d'action, (iii) la mise au point d'un plaidoyer en faveur de l'adoption d'une stratégie de DHD et le renforcement des capacités nationales en matière d'analyse, de formulation et de suivi de politiques et programmes de DHD.

En collaboration avec le Département des Affaires Économiques et Sociales et du PNUD à New York (DAES), l'UNESCO a pour mission principale d'apporter un appui technique et méthodologique au gouvernement mauritanien pour l'identification et le recrutement des experts nationaux, à la rédaction des rapports nationaux sur le DHD; l'organisation et l'animation des ateliers régionaux de sensibilisation au DHD, etc. Depuis 1997, l'ODHD a été créé au sein du Ministère du Plan (locaux, équipement, recrutement du personnel), deux rapports sur le DHD en Mauritanie ont été publiés (fin 1997 et fin 1998), le cahier des charges de la base de données des indicateurs DHD a été adopté mi-1998 et la collecte des données a pu démarrer fin 1998.

La mise en place du réseau DHD, la création de modules de formation, l'élaboration de la stratégie et du plan d'action sont prévus d'être réalisés en 1999 et en 2000.

Uudated: 31 August 1999

Oman

Technical Assistance to develop national capacities on textbook publishing

Activities: Advisory Service – Improving the quality of textbooks. The first mission by a staff member in 1996 laid the ground for the creation of the Department of Textbook Production, in order to introduce a coherent and efficient system to improve the quality of textbooks. The second mission by a staff member examined the new textbooks produced by the Department and advised the direction to take.

Updated: 21 January 1999

Palestinian Autonomous Territories

Technical assistance for renewal of education systems

1. 505/RAB/10 - "School Rehabilitation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank". This project consisted in the rehabilitation and maintenance of fourteen schools in the Gaza strip and three in the West Bank as well as provision of teaching materials to these schools between 1994 and 1996. During 1997-1998 due to savings made while implementing the project it was possible to rehabilitate two additional buildings, the Directorate of Education in South Hebron, and the Tamara School for Girls.The final report of the project was completed in July 1999 and a brochure on project activities will be issued soon.

2. 505/RAB/11 - "Rehabilitation, provision of furniture and teaching materials for 17 schools in the West Bank". This is the second phase of the above project which will rehabilitate 17 schools in the West Bank. Tendering for 7 schools has taken place and the contractors for three schools have been selected. Work has started on these first three schools.

3. 516/RAB/11 - "Physical Learning Environment in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank". The main objective of this project is to provide the Ministry of Education with its national norms and space standards for educational buildings and furniture to be applied and followed by communities, national institutions and international financing agencies. Work started in July 1998. The project is presently on-going and developed a manual entitled "Handbook Nineteen Ninety-Eight. A design reference manual for future schools in Palestine". This manual is a twofold tool which provides standarized information to architects and engineers involved in the design and costing of new school buildings and furniture, as well as design and cost evaluation criteria to be followed by the Buildings and Projects staff of the MOE. A national seminar was organized during a UNESCO mission in February 1999 during which the draft Handbook was presented and discussed with representatives of the Directorates of Education. The preparation of a second handbook on standardization of structural elements for school buildings started in July 1999.

4. Pipeline - Bethlehem Educational Village. Two projet outlines were prepared, entitled "Bethlehem Educational Village" Construction of a kindergarten and of a primary school. Both buildings form part of the same educational complex, which also includes a secondary school that is already built. The aim is to create an educational compound which includes all educational cycles, from pre-primary to secondary education and will also offer the possibility to the community to use the facilities for non-formal educational activities or cultural/social events in the evenings. Extra-budgetary funding is sought for both projects.

5. Design of Al-Yamoun Primary Boy's School. Upon the request of the Palestinian Authorities, the conceptual design for Al-Yamoun primary Boy's school in Jenin was prepared in May 1998 and a model of the school developed.

Updated: 31 August 1999

Sudan

Community education to provide Education for All, espacially girls and women

Activities: 522/RAB/11 – "Improvement of Educational Facilities in LDC’s of the Arab States". A consultant architect undertook a final evaluation mission to Sudan to obtain information on a) the quality and performance of the built fabric of the buildings constructed under this project, including an assessment on the use of solar equipment installed, and b) the educational activities, both formal and non-formal, that are taking place in the the buildings. Advice was also given to local specialists for the final editing of two handbooks concerning local building technologies in Sudan.

Updated: 21 September 1999

Syria

Technical Assistance to develop national capacities on textbook publishingand educational industries

Activities: 522/SYR/10 – "The Support of the Centre for the Development and Production of Teaching Materials in the Syrian Arab Republic". The aim of the project was to reinforce the efforts of the ministry of education to improve the quality and volume of the production of its centre for development and production of teaching materials. the project activities included: (i) purchase of video equipment, materials and supplies for the centre, to be used for design, testing and production of educational TV programmes, (ii) in-service training of the centre’s staff for its various fields of competence (conception, design, evaluation, production, maintenance), (iii) tailor made training with special emphasis on creative scenario writing was provided for four Syrian beneficiaries at the training institute for film and theatre in Oman from 22 march – 6 may 1997.

Updated: 21 January 1999

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