March 23, 2010 No. 10/10-G CDB TO CO-HOST BASIC EDUCATION ENHANCEMENT PROJECT LAUNCH WORKSHOP IN ST. LUCIA Next week the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and Culture, St. Lucia, will formally launch a Basic Education Enhancement Project that is expected to benefit over 1,300 persons in that country's education system. On August 14, 2009, the Government of St. Lucia and CDB signed a loan agreement for the sum of US$ 12 million to assist with the achievement of two major objectives: quality enhancement of basic education through upgrading of the learning environment at selected primary and secondary schools; and improving quality, efficiency and effectiveness in the education sector through institutional strengthening and capacity building. These objectives will be achieved through the following civil works and capacity-building activities: Civil Works:· Construction of new buildings· Rehabilitation of existing buildings· Construction of enclosures and/or fencing· Provision of temporary classroom accommodation· Supply of furniture and equipment Capacity Building:· Improving school leadership· Enhancing curriculum implementation· Strengthening of educational materials production capacity· Improving teacher quality· Strengthening early childhood education· Improving school maintenance capacity There will also be a focus on building capacity to provide the requisite services, including engineering, architectural and project management services. Quality enhancement activities will be provided at eight schools - five primary and three secondary, while the capacity-building activities will provide training for officers of the Ministry of Education, officers of the Curriculum and Materials Development Unit, primary and secondary school principals and teachers, as well as maintenance officers across the system. Instructional materials will be provided for 31 schools - 21 primary and 10 secondary - and there will also be activities designed to enhance local capacity in the development of materials to support the delivery of the curriculum. The project launch workshop will take place on March 29 and 30, 2010, at the Auberge Seraphine Hotel in Castries. It will be facilitated by CDB personnel who will guide members of the Project Management Unit, officers of the Ministry and other key stakeholders who will interact with the project on CDB's processes and procedures necessary for its smooth implementation and execution.