Sector Assistance Program Evaluation on Education in Uzbekistan

Senior Secondary Education Project. 
The project took off with the 1997 NPPT and 
was relevant to Uzbekistan’s move to market-oriented development. In the words of the RRP, 
the project was designed “to advance the economic and social transition. Uzbekistan needs a 
labor force with new skills and knowledge.” The project design was consistent with ADB’s 
country operation strategy and education sector strategy. However, it had some design 
weaknesses. For example, under civil works, it lacked technical specifications to meet the 
specific requirements of equipment installation. The specifications were neither developed at 
appraisal nor provided for in the design so they could be developed at the time of construction. 
Another weakness was to leave the management of the project solely to the project 
implementation unit (PIU) designed, established and funded by the government, even though 
MOHSSE had no previous experience of implementing an ADB-funded project. The absence of 
technical specifications caused civil works to be delayed and added to the Government of 
Uzbekistan’s funding burden as much as $21.7 million, which was 27.5% above the appraisal 
estimate for civil works. Two years after the project effectiveness, in January 2003, PIU 
arrangements were found to be inadequate. Thereafter, project management arrangements 
were restructured and reorganized. The appraisal also failed to fully assess the two consultants’ 
requirements. These consultants had been engaged to assist the PIU in project implementation. 
In brief, while the objectives of the Senior Secondary Education Project (SSEP) were in line with 
the government’s policies, CSP and ADB education sector strategy, the design of the project 
added to implementation problems, apart from the fact that this was the first project to be 
implemented by the concerned ministry. The rating for this project is relevant.
70.