Implementing the Education Strategies: a coordinated support in Kosovo

1. Implementing the Education Strategies: a coordinated support in Kosovo Keiko Miwa The World Bank Prishtina, September 14, 2007

2. Paris Declaration • Ownership • Alignment • Donors align with partners’ strategies • Reliable country systems on financial management and procurement • Capacity building through coordinated support • Strengthen public financial management capacity • Untied and predictable aid • Harmonization • Use of common arrangements or procedures • Shared analysis • Managing for results (results-oriented frameworks) • Mutual Accountability 2

3. Some limitations of a traditional “project” approach • Focused only on the project-specific development objective. • Weak on monitoring of the system indicators according to the strategies • Lacks flexibility to respond to the changing needs. • Long-term institutional impact is weak(er). • High transaction cost for the government to coordinate. 3

4. Sector-Wide Approach An approach to bring together governments, donors and other stakeholders within any sector. • Government ownership and leadership • A government-owned strategy as a common framework Moving towards: • Common monitoring arrangements • More coordinated procedures and arrangements for financial management and procurement (and ultimately the use of the country own systems) 4

5. Moving towards programmatic approach(a continuum not a dichotomy) Shift towards 5

6. An example from Albania

7. Education is a priority of the Government in Albania • The visionof the Government is to develop a continuous education system, starting from early childhood development and continuing through the entire course of our lives. • The objective of the education system is to develop individual capacities and skill to gain and utilize knowledge, and become an active citizen. • The Government aims to carry out a comprehensive reform of the education system through the consultation and partnerships with stakeholders. 7

8. Education Excellence and Equity Project in Albania, 2006-2010 (SWAp) Objective • Improved quality of learning conditions for all students and increased enrollment in general secondary education, especially for the poor Priority Areas • Strengthening leadership, management and governance of the education system • Improving conditions for teaching and learning • Improving and rationalizing education infrastructure, especially in secondary education • Setting the stage for higher education reform 8

9. Key features of a SWAp in Albania • National Education Strategy (NES) 2004-2015 as an overall framework. • Led by the Ministry of Education and Science and implemented by the concerned departments of the MoES and other affiliated institutes (no PIU). • Annual Reform Programs (ARPs) prepared by the MoES around four priority areas. • Use of the government treasury system and the Albania’s procurement systems for National Competitive Biddings (International Competitive Biddings are still subject to WB’s guidelines). • Three Banks (WB, EIB, CEB) pooling its financing to the reform program through the Treasury system. Disbursement twice a year. • A joint monitoring and reporting system. Results framework at two levels: one for the sector as a whole 2006-2015, the other for EEE-P specific 2006-2010 • MOU signed between MoF, MoES, WB, EIB and CEB. Other partners who wish to join pooled financing can sign at any time. • Semi-annual review meetings (Tirana and in the region) in May and October each year. 9

10. Financing of EEE-P (2006/07-2010) Pooling of funds is for the “reform program” of the education budget which is agreed each year. Other partners such as EU, Germany, Italy, Austria, Swiss, and UNICEF support various projects through parallel financing and technical assistance within the framework of the National Education Strategy. 10

11. Kosovo

12. Education is a priority of the Government in Kosovo Education is expected to contribute to build an inclusive society, reduce poverty, promote economic growth, and facilitate European integration in Kosovo. 4 E’s of the government Economy, Education, Energy and Europe 12

13. Kosovo has developed pre-university and higher education strategies The Visions of Pre-University and Higher Education • “Kosova – a knowledge society, integrated in European trends with equal opportunities for personal development of all its members, who in return contribute to the sustainable economic and social development.” • “Kosova – a democratic society, integrated in European Higher Education Area, where knowledge and scientific research are of particular role and importance for the educating and long-term cultural, social and economic development.” 13

14. There are opportunities for better coordination in education in Kosovo…. • Education recognized as a priority by the government • Pre-University and Higher Education Strategies as a common framework. • Development partners (DPs) indicating their interest in supporting education. • Increasing ownership of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. • An opportunity to monitor progress in implementation of education strategies and indicators jointly and regularly. • Good treasury system. • Size and location of Kosovo. 14