Consistency in project documents between the government and ADB. Some inconsistencies and ambitious targets between the government's feasibility study report and the RRP (Report and Recommendation of the President) required discussions and formal agreements between the MOET (Ministry of Education and Training) and ADB, resulting in delays in project implementation. At the design stage, project targets should be more realistic and attainable. Intensive consultations among stakeholders are needed to avoid such discrepancies._x005F_x000D__x005F_x000D_Capacity of project management unit staff. Limited familiarity of PMU (project management unit) staff with ADB procurement and financial management guidelines and procedures contributed to delays in implementation, procurement of equipment, awarding of contracts of civil works, and disbursement. Moreover, PMU heads were nominated and approved by the MOET (Ministry of Education and Training) only after project approval, which further contributed to delays in project start-up. For future projects, the PMU and PIUs should be established before loan approval. Moreover, once these have been established, recruitment of PMU and PIU staff with prior experience in ADB projects should be immediately undertaken. Training of PMU and PIU staff by project preparatory TA start-up consultants, and by ADB if required, must be carried out and explicitly recommended in the loan covenants._x005F_x000D__x005F_x000D_Recruitment of consultants. The recruitment of consultants remains time consuming. This problem is not specific to the project but common in all ADB-financed projects in Viet Nam. Delays in consultant recruitment result in delays in implementing the entire project. In future, advance actions and project readiness filters should be applied to minimize start-up delays.
Upper Secondary and Professional Teacher Development Project