Afghanistan On Budget Program in Basic Education, Literacy and Technical- Vocational Education (BELT)

Transcription

1 Afghanistan On Budget Program in Basic Education, Literacy and Technical- Vocational Education (BELT) Financing Education in Crisis and Conflict-Affected Situations Dr. Malcom Phelps, Sr. Education Advisor USAID Office of Afghanistan Pakistan Affairs August 22-25, Global Education Workshop: From Evidence to Action 1

2 What is Direct Budget Assistance A government-to-government assistance modality Funds are transferred from USAID to a host government ministry for specific purposes If NGO s have an implementation role, they are engaged by the host government ministry On-Budget Assistance is slightly different Donor funds flow into the general operating or development budget The Afghan Reconstruction Trust Fund is multi-lateral on-budget assistance for civil servant salaries

3 On-Budget Flow of Funds for the Ministry of Education (MOE) On-Budget Funds Transfer Ministry of Finance Agreement i.e. Implementation Letter, Host Country Contract Invoice Payment Special Account Invoice Approval Contractor/ Grantee Selection & Performance Monitoring Ministry of Education Project Management Unit (GCMU-PMU) Technical Assistance & Capacity Building Joint Project Management NGOs (Host Country Contracts) USAID Implementing Partner (off-budget) Contractor provides capacity USAID Managed Mechanisms building support to MoE and the GCMU-PMU Global Education Workshop: From Evidence to Action Feb

4 Why Direct Budget Assistance وزارت معارف Strategic priority & policy position - Afghan First Fulfills multi-lateral donor commitments made at Kabul & London conferences Goal is 50% of USAID assistance New ADS 220: Use of Reliable Partner Country Systems for Direct Management and Implementation of Assistance Afghan government has strongly advocated Donor support to NGO s undermines government, distorts wages, & impedes sustainability More cost-effective; no NGO overhead

5 Process for Direct Budget Assistance وزارت معارف Collaborative activities agreed upon by USAID & Afghan ministry Align with & support education strategy The ministry is assessed & must USAID requirements High standards of monitoring, evaluation and regular reporting deadlines Ensures compliance with applicable management requirements & agreements Requirements: procedures, internal controls, experienced personnel, and other resources to responsibly manage U.S. Government funds MOE meets requirements; MOHE does not yet have requisite capacity Implementation letters or other instruments document activities & requirements (e.g. M&E) Additional documentation: work plans, M&E plans, timelines Invoices, certified by the AOTR, are required for payment The government may be thought of as an implementing partner

6 MOE Strategic Priorities (NESP) Basic Education Teacher & Curriculum Development Technical -Vocational Education & Training (TVET) Literacy & Productive skills training Education Management On-Budget Program (3 Year) General Education: textbook printing; community-based education Teacher Education: teacher training & testing TVET: support to TVET schools & training for youth Literacy: literacy training with National Literacy Center Capacity Building and Education Management: grants and contract management structure; educational planning, monitoring, & evaluation Kabul at night, 2010

7 Teacher Education Off-Budget BESST Project (Creative) Development of materials, systems Funds & monitors Reports (financial and results) MOE as partner On Budget MOE Teacher Education Department (TED), Provincial Department MOE manages through TED, Provincial Directorates District Centers (teacher learning circles) planned MOE reports (expenses and results) Teacher Education Directorate leads - provinces, districts implement

8 General Education: Community Based Education (CBE) Off-Budget PACE-A (CARE) On-Budget MOE NGOs fund & monitor CARE oversight & reporting MOE in regulator role MOE manages through Provincial/District officers, CBE Department MOE contracts NGOs MOE contracts 30 provincial liaison staff, 4 central staff MOE manages CBE monitoring & reporting

9 Literacy Off-Budget LCEP-2 (UN-Habitat) On-Budget MOE Development of curricula, trainers UN-Habitat funds, monitors & reports ($ and results) 3,900 Community Development Committees (CDCs) as partners MOE manages through National Literacy Department (NLC) NLC/MOE reports (expenses and results) MOE contracts with CDCs, NGOs

10 General Education: Textbook Printing Off-Budget DANIDA MOE contracts DANIDA pays with USAID funding Print 12.5 million primary school textbooks On-Budget MOE MOE contracts USAID pays invoices for printing Print 13.8 million primary school textbooks Kabul at night, Global Education Workshop: From Evidence to Action

11 By 2014, USG-MOE Collaboration will result in: Strengthened Technical Content Improved learning outcomes Teacher qualifications testing systems established Reinforcing MOE Capacity to Lead Sector Enhanced MOE planning, leadership, managing, monitoring & reporting MOE leadership in setting program direction, process and results Institutionalized financial management, grant & contract management functions Sustaining Results and Impact Culture of accountability established Strengthened education management systems and increased human resource capacity Increased GIRoA funding for education

12 Additional End Points Expected by 2014 MOE Compliance with: Donor procurement systems and policies U.S. financial and program reporting requirements Audit or financial review recommendations MOE Leadership on: Kabul commitments to Afghan-led programs Harmonization of donor support to education Greater aid effectiveness (USG) ; Meeting Kabul Conference Agreement Lower administrative costs 20 to 30% savings 2011 Global Education Workshop: From Evidence to Action

13 Sustainability & Transition Challenges Donor aid is equivalent in size to 91% of Afghanistan s GDP Domestic revenue collection covers only 17% of public expenditure 66% of Afghan core budget is donor-financed Education is 17% of Afghanistan s operating budget 43,000 of MOE s positions are externally financed Concentrated in senior technical or managerial

14 Thank You! Questions? 2011 Global Education Workshop: From Evidence to Action