Education Quality Improvement Project

Project: P179363 - Education Quality Improvement Project Financing: World Bank GENERAL PROCUREMENT NOTICE Republic of Moldova Education Quality Improvement Project Ministry of Education, and Research (MoER), and National Office for Regional and Local Development (NORLD) GENERAL PROCUREMENT NOTICE Loan No./Credit No./TF No./Grant No. IBRD-95360 Project ID No. P179363 The Government of the Republic of Moldova has received financing in the amount of US$ 59.8million equivalent from the World Bank toward the cost of the Education Quality Improvement Project, and it intends to apply part of the proceeds to payments for goods, works, non-consulting services and consulting services to be procured under this project. This project will be jointly financed by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Fund and Early Learning Partnership (ELP) multi-donor trust fund and concessional financing on a non-reimbursable basis from the Global Concessional Financing Facility (GCFF). The project will include the following components: Component 1 (Managed by MoER): Improving Quality of Teaching. The objective of this component is to improve teaching practices in the classroom as a major element driving student learning. The project will help equip teachers with the skills required to succeed in the classroom including raising the awareness and knowledge of teacher professional standards and improving teachers’ digital skills and classroom management skills. Under this component, individuals will be contracted to provide training for teachers, managers, and ECD staff, as well as logistical support from a company for organizing the training sessions. For the assessment of teaching quality, a public agency will be contracted. Additionally, there is an intention to contract a company for the development of an Educators training program. Also, the equipment and learning materials for Early Childhood Education and Care will be procured. Small grant-supported projects are also a part of this component. The grants will be offered to about 120 schools selected and will support: (i) professional development opportunities for teachers, and (ii) projects promoting innovative instructional practices in several priority areas. Component 2 (Managed by MoER and NORLD) : Improving the Quality of Learning Environment in Participating Institutions. Under this component, the objective is to enhance the quality of both physical and digital standards concerning infrastructure and equipment. The focus lies in engaging companies to conduct rehabilitation work for 15 schools and 15 pre-schools carried out by NORLD. Additionally, provision will be made for equipment, learning materials tailored for special needs, and furniture carried out by MoER. This provision aims to elevate the overall standards of these facilities comprehensively. The initiative also includes addressing the improvement of digital infrastructure alongside physical enhancements. Component 3 (Managed by MoER and NORLD) : Strengthening the Capacity for Education Sector Management and Refugee Response. The objective of this component is to improve activities aimed to strengthen capacity of the MoER for education sector management and refugee response in Moldova. Under this component, individuals will be contracted to provide support in capacity building for NACE on (primary, gymnasium and lyceum), development of the institutions master plan and selection, Assessment of the Informational Systems needs. Also, support on education policies and reforms, support on education policies in ECD areas and assistance on data analysis and processing. To be mentioned that is an intention to contract companies for the revision of teachers’ standards, revision of managers standards, teacher’s trainings adjustment and managers trainings adjustment. Furthermore, it is planned to contract companies that will provide consulting services for impact evaluation, surveys, for development of a 10-years action plan, as well as the development and implementation of a communication strategy. Component 4 (Managed by MoER) : Contingent Emergency Response Component is included to support the country’s future response if a natural or man-made disaster or emergency arises, in line with the procedures governed by paragraph 12, Section III of the World Bank Policy, Investment Project Financing (IPF) on Projects in Situations of Urgent Need of Assistance or Capacity Constraints. Procurement of contracts financed by the World Bank will be conducted through the procedures as specified in the World Bank Procurement Regulations for Investment Project Financing (IPF) Borrowers - Procurement in IPF of Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, November 2020, and with the latest Guidelines on Preventing and Combating Fraud and Corruption in Projects Financed by IBRD Loans and IDA Credits , and is open to all eligible firms and individuals as defined in the Procurement Regulations .[1] After project negotiations, the W