Sector Assistance Program Evaluation on Education in Uzbekistan

ADB’s assistance to the education sector. 
ADB’s medium-term strategy II prioritized 
addressing the goal of poverty reduction and emphasized catalyzing investments through 
human resource development, and strengthening inclusiveness through key social development 
interventions. ADB’s medium-term strategy II included education as one of the core operational 
sectors where ADB should focus its expertise and assistance. ADB’s Strategy 2020 also 
identifies education as one of the five core areas for specialization. It recognizes that 
investments in and access to education and vocational training are necessary for more inclusive 
growth, achieving gender equality, and for promoting public–private partnership (PPP) and 
regional cooperation. ADB assistance also supports the Millennium Development Goals, 
especially those seeking to reduce poverty, enhance the status of women, and augment 
knowledge and skills. The education sector strategy also supports the alignment of ADB 
assistance with the inclusive growth needs of the country.

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ii 
The total value of ADB loans to Uzbekistan from 1996 to 2009 is $1.29 billion, of which 
$290.5 million (22.5%) were loans to the education sector. These were sourced from both the 
ordinary capital resources (72.5%) and the Asian Development Fund (27.5%). In addition, ADB 
extended 15 technical assistance (TA) projects totaling $6.5 million and a grant of $1.5 million 
from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction. ADB is the leading development partner in the 
sector in terms of the volume of assistance. 
 
Strategic and institutional-level assessment (top–down). 
At the strategic and 
institution level, the SAPE makes an assessment of education sector performance based on 
three broad categories: (i) strategic positioning of ADB assistance, (ii) contribution to overall 
development results, and (iii) ADB's institutional performance.  
The strategic positioning of ADB's assistance is rated substantial based on five key 
areas: (i) relevance, (ii) responsiveness, (iii) operational flexibility, (iv) portfolio management, 
and (v) relationship with development partners (para. 61 and Table 5). The contribution to 
overall development results is rated substantial by assessing pro-poor growth, social 
development, as well as good governance and capacity building (para. 62 and Table 6). ADB's 
institutional performance is rated modest, based on: (i) the quality of ADB's support; (ii) 
sensitivity and responsiveness to clients; (iii) client ownership, (iv) harmony with development 
partners, (v) compliance with capacity building, (vi) consistency with ADB’s corporate strategy, 
and (vii) feedback of borrowers/executing agency (para. 63 and Table 7). Overall, the top–down 
assessment of ADB's education assistance is rated successful.