EQRA

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The development objectives of the Eqra Project for Afghanistan are to increase equitable access to primary and secondary education, particularly for girls, in selected lagging provinces, and to improve learning conditions in Afghanistan. The project comprises of four components. The first component, equitable access to basic education aims to increase access to basic education, especially for girls in selected lagging provinces. It consists of following sub-components: (i) improving school infrastructure; (ii) provision of school grants to eligible schools for improved access and retention; and (iii) supporting community‐based education. The second component, improving learning conditions will focus on improving the capacity of teachers to deliver quality instructions in the classroom. It consists of following sub-components: (i) supporting subject knowledge training of teachers of selected grades and developing standardized examination for teacher training college (TTCs); (ii) supporting a pilot program including its evaluation to strengthen: (a) coaching and training of teachers; and (b) classroom observations; and (iii) supporting: (a) development of new curriculum and learning materials for schools; and (b) delivery of textbooks from provincial education directorate (PEDs) to schools. The third component, strengthening education sector planning capacity and transparency aims to strengthen planning and implementation capacity, coordination, and transparency of the Ministry of Education (MoE) at both the central and subnational levels. It consists of following sub-components: (i) improving education management information systems (EMIS); (ii) improving teacher recruitment and management; and (iii) improving budget planning and introducing results‐based reporting. The fourth component, technical assistance aims to strengthen the capacity of the MoE at the national and subnational levels to achieve results in priority areas, and more broadly, to manage the delivery of quality education services promoted under third national education sector plan (NESP III).