New school buildings, access to technology and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities are transforming the learning experience for children living in the most remote regions of the country.
COVID-19 response
In late March 2020, the UNICEF office in Tajikistan received a GPE grant of US$70,000 to support the Ministry of Education and Science with a National Education Preparedness Response Plan, in consultation with the local education group.
The plan, launched in mid-April 2020, includes a detailed budget for additional education interventions, and was the basis for a EUR 9 million contribution from the European Union.
A joint rapid education needs assessment monitors the short- and long-term impact on this and next school years along with budgetary implications for the sector.
School-based communication and safety campaigns have been launched, including rehabilitation of WASH infrastructure.
The grant also supported the development of TV lessons and a distance learning platform, ensuring accessibility online and offline. The ministry was modernized with new equipment for distance learning.
Education in Tajikistan
The structure of education in the Republic of Tajikistan is made of many levels, from preschool through higher education, as well as continuing education and specialized education. Preschool education is one of the priority areas of the education sector.
The National Strategy for the Education Development (NSED) for the 2021-2030 period is the country’s main policy document in education. Its long-term goal is to create an effective education system that provides inclusive and equal opportunities and contributes to the development of abilities, intellectual development, employment, and improvement of the general well-being of the population.
The strategy recognizes that the quality of educational services in the country needs improvement and highlights that access to education remains challenging due to reasons such as: the insufficient growth in the number of preschool institutions, the poor quality of school infrastructure, and the relatively low qualifications of teachers.
Other barriers to improving education outcomes are low attendance rates, inadequate access to improved sanitation and water supply in rural schools, physical, financial and cultural barriers to overcoming social exclusion, and gender inequality in terms of access to education at all levels.
The key objectives of the NSED are to:
- ensure equal access and participation in education and science at all levels for all throughout life
- improve the quality and relevance of education and science at all levels
- strengthen effective governance of the education sector.
Universal access to quality education (SDG-4) remains a priority for the country and its public resource allocation and reforms.
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Latest grant
Development objective:
enhance access to student-friendly education environment and improve learning conditions in selected schools
Allocation:
US$10,000,000
Years:
2020-2024
Grant agent:
IsDB
Utilization:
US$4,641,153
The GPE Multiplier grant of US$10 million aims at improving the learning environment and the effectiveness of education services. The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) provides US$30 million in co-financing, while the government’s contribution is US$6 million.
In addition, UNICEF will provide in-kind support in the amount of US$750,000.
The program supported by this funding has three objectives:
- Enhance access to quality education facilities in selected districts.
- Improve the efficacy of the competency-based education by reducing the gap between declared and implemented curriculum for math and languages in grades 5-9, supporting reform in assessment practices and stock-taking of various activities for effective implementation of competency-based education.
- Strengthen the education management information system and its piloting in the project area to support education sector policy, planning and evidence-based resource allocation.
The program directly contributes to the National Strategy for Education Development (NSED) 2012-2020 and will also be reflected in the NSED 2021-2030.
Grants
All amounts are in US dollars.
| Grant type | Years | Allocations | Utilization | Grant agent | |
| Multiplier | 2020-2024 | 10,000,000 | 4,641,153 | IsDB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program implementation | 2013-2017 | 16,200,000 | 16,200,000 | WB | Completion report |
| 2010-2013 | 13,500,000 | 13,500,000 | WB | Completion report | |
| 2006-2010 | 18,250,293 | 18,250,293 | WB | ||
| Sector plan development | 2017-2020 | 304,000 | 304,000 | UNICEF | |
| 2017-2019 | 194,131 | 194,131 | WB | ||
| 2013-2014 | 247,797 | 247,797 | UNICEF | ||
| System capacity | 2022-2025 | 2,600,000 | 0 | UNICEF | |
| Program development | 2022 | 200,000 | 0 | IsDB | |
| 2019 | 188,214 | 188,214 | IsDB | ||
| 2013-2014 | 123,647 | 123,647 | WB | ||
| Total | 61,808,082 | 53,649,235 |
Data last updated: May 26, 2023
As part of its investment in civil society advocacy and social accountability efforts, GPE’s Education Out Loud fund is supporting the Alliance of CSOs in Tajikistan for Education (ACTE) for the 2019-2021 period.
This builds on 11 years of Civil Society Education Fund (CSEF) support to national education coalitions for their engagement in education sector policy dialogue.
GPE had provided the Alliance of CSOs in Tajikistan for Education (ACTE) with a grant from the CSEF to support its engagement in education sector policy dialogue and citizens’ voice in education quality, equity, and financing and sector reform.
Last updated September 10, 2021