The project could have avoided some implementation difficulties had the project manager been appointed earlier and assisted with the design of project details. Compared with the size of the project, the consultant services package was too small. The national project implementation unit (NPIU) had to take on too much of the work. While this helped in its Capacity Development, the NPIU was observed at times to have difficulty finding technically qualified staff to implement project activities that were not fully supported by the loan implementation consultants because of their limited contracts. This problem was pointed out to the government and the latter has agreed to a larger consulting service input for recently approved loan projects to ensure their timely and high-quality implementation. The NPIU must also be structured better so that suitably qualified staff are identified and appointed earlier in the process and the timing of external consulting support is better matched with project timelines.
Upper Secondary Education Development Project