Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 11/ Trend , S. Babayeva / "Azerbaijani government has not yet come to conclusion on the realization of the joint project with the World Bank (WB) on reforming higher education in Azerbaijan," minister of education Misir Mardanov said on Dec. 11.
"Although the WB has allocated grant for the project preparation, the government did not discuss the possible loan and its approximate sum," the minister said.
The WB allocated $600,000 to work out the project.
This will be the fourth project realized with the World Bank in education. Last time the government signed loan agreement with the WB on the project worth $45.4mln on reforming education system in the country in September 2008.
The project involves reforms in the secondary and infant school education, as well as the professional and technical education.
This is the last lax credit for reforms in the education system of Azerbaijan. In connection with the completion of the financial year of quotas on favorable financing, loans to realize reforms in high education can be allocated based on conditions of the World Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
The current project of development of education system is directed to sector reforms in this sphere based on the program of reforms in education operated since 1999. The program aims to increase educational quality and reform the sector on the whole. The total sum of the project makes up $20,99mln which includes $18mln loan by WB. The WB Board of directors approved the project on 27 May 2003.
The World Bank allocated the first loan worth $5mln in 1999.
Reforming strategy of the education system in Azerbaijan is estimated at $250mln.
Azerbaijan is a member of the WB since 1992.
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