Attachment_2_Signed_Implementation_Arrangement_-_SEND.pdf

Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Ministry of Primary and Mass Education

Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka- I 000 Planning Section-3 www.mopme.gov.bd

Memo No.: 38.00.0000.014. 14. l8l.l7 -42 Date: 5 February 2019

Subject: Confirmation on Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on (Special

Education Needs and Disability Implementation Arrangement."

The undersigned is directed to inform that MoPME is pleased to provide 'No objection' to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on "Special Education Needs and

Disability Implementation Arrangement." Mr. Md. Gias Uddin Ahmed, Additional Secretary

(Development), Ministry of Primary & Mass Education has signed on the document.

Therefore, necessary actions in this regard are requested.

Enclosed: As stated L- t9 (Md. Alauddin B Jonee)

Assistant Chief Phone: 02-955085 1

E-mail: mopmeplan3@gmail.com Secretary Economic Relations Division Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka

[Attention: Mr. Md. Nazmul Islam, Assistant Chief (America-l)]

Cony for information:

l. Director General, Directorate of Primary Education, Mirpur, Dhaka-1216.

2. P.S to Secretary, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka.

3. P.O to Additional Secretary (Development), Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka.

4. P.O to Deputy Chiee Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka.

5. Office copy.

E:\DisiblFilc!\ERr}ldrcl\Erylish_18.01 4.014.06.00.47.2014(Pd-3).ds

Implementation Arrangement between the Government of the United States of America, acting through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh (GOB), acting through the Ministry of Finance, Economic Relations Division

I. Purpose

The purpose of this Implementation Arrangement is to set out the understanding of USAID and the Economic Relations Division (collectively, the Participants) with respect to USAID's support to the Fourth Primary Education Development Program (PEDP4). The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (MOPME) serves as the technical counterpart for the Economic Relations Division in this Implementation Arrangement. This Implementation Arrangement is not legally binding on the Participants, nor does it constitute an obligation or commitment of funds.

The GOB and Development Partners, including USAID, have collaboratively developed the PEDP4, whose Program Development Objective is to: "provide quality education to all children of Bangladesh from pre-primary up to Grade 5 through an inclusive and equitable education system."l

Quality education for children with disabilities is a shared priority of the GOB and USAID.

Disability is a priority of the PEDP4, and the Special Education Needs and Disability sub-component has the objective to "increase the proportion of children with special educationneeds who are accommodated in primary schools in an effort to achieve Inclusive E,ducation" 2 to ensure quality learning for all children. In support of the GOB's policy commitment to inclusive education, USAID partnered with MOPME and the Directorate of Primary Education to provide technical assistance to draft a Disability Design Note that developed recommendations for achieving inclusive education for children with disabilities.

As noted in the Development Project Proforma in May 2018, USAID intends to support the PEDP4 in the area of Special Education Needs and Disability.3

II. Goal

The goal of USAID's support to PEDP4 is to improve leaming outcomes in early grade reading and math for children with disabilities in Government Primary Schools. As parties to Sustainable Development Goal 4, the GOB and the Government of the United States have committed to the

' PEDP4 Program Document, page 42.

'PEDP4 Program Document, page268.

3 Development Project Proforma, section 14.1 .28 goal that "all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes." To meet this shared goal of educational equity and quality, USAID's support to the PEDP4 intends to address both access to schooling for children with disabilities and the achievement of leaming outcomes in reading and math for children with disabilities.a

This Implementation Arrangement directly contributes to the Program Development Objective of the PEDP4 to "provide quality education to all children of Bangladesh from pre-primary up to Grade 5 through an inclusive and equitable education system." It contributes to the program-level indicator of PEDP4 Result Area 2.6: "Number of children with mild and moderate Special Education Needs and Disabilities enrolled in mainstream primary schools") and the key performance indicator: "Percentage of Grade 3 students achieving at least Band 3 competencies in Bangla and Mathematics."6

The Implementation Arrangement also supports the PEDP4's Gender and Inclusive Education Action Plan objective to: "reduce inequalities between boys and girls and all other disadvantaged groups of children through an inclusive and equitable education system."7 The illustrative components of this Implementation Arrangement, including curriculum development, teacher training, and awareness-raising, directly support the implementation of the Gender and Inclusive Education Action Plan.

UI. Areas of Cooperation

USAID and MOPME intend to cooperate to implement a set of activities to advance the goal of this Implementation Arrangement. USAID intends to work with government actors at the national and local levels (Directorate of Primary Education, National Curriculum and Textbook Board, National Academy for Primary Education, Primary Teacher Training Institutes, Upazila Resource Centers, Upazila Education Offices), head teachers, teachers, School Management Committees, and Disabled People's Organizations to ensure that children with mild and moderate disabilities have improved learning outcomes in reading and math.

Illustrative program components within the purview of sub-component 2.6 (Special Education Needs and Disability) of the PEDP4 are:

. Curriculum and learnins materials.8 The support described in this Implementation Arrangement aims to: provide technical assistance to support the review and update of the curriculum to accommodate children with special education needs;

provide technical assistance to develop and disseminate curriculum training; and support a As defined in the U.S. Government's Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (READ) Act of 20 17, U.S. foreign assistance to promote sustainable, quality basic education includes "measurable improvements in literacy, numeracy, and other basic skills development that prepare an individual to be an active, productive member of society and the workforce." For this reason, literacy and numeracy are the focus of USAID's education assistance. <https://www.congress.gov/l l5lplaws/publ56/PLAW- I l5publ56.pdf> t PPOPa Program Document, page 179.

6 PPDP+ Program Document, page 42.

' PPDP+ Program Document, page I 1 1.

8 PgoP+ Program Document, page 268.

I n the development of textbooks and other teaching-learning materials for children with disabilities.

a Teacher education.e Th" support described in this Implementation Arrangement aims to support the integration of inclusive education-related dimensions into the Diploma in Education and Continuous Professional Development curriculums and support the development of teacher training materials.

a

Education Needs and Disability. To raise awareness about inclusive education for children with disabilities, the support described in this Implementation Arrangement seeks to support advocacy and dialogue at the national and local levels.

o Monitoring. reporting. research. and evaluation.ll The support described in this Implementation Arrangement seeks to integrate metrics related to inclusive education into the academic supervision checklist to support monitoring and reporting on how well schools are identifying and integrating children with disabilities. The support described in this Implementation Arrangement intends to conduct research and reporting on the learning outcomes of children with disabilities.

. GOveuXeent6ySternjapAA{y. The support described in this Implementation Arrangement seeks to support the professional development of MOPME, the Directorate of Primary Education, National Curriculum and Textbook Board, National Academy for Primary Education, Primary Teacher Training Institutes, and other counterparts to lead and administer the Special Education Needs and Disability component of the PEDP4.

IV. Contributions of the Participants

USAID intends to support the activities described in this Implementation Arrangement in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Development Objective Grant Agreement between the United States of America and the GOB, and in furtherance of the USAID Country Development Cooperation Strategy, dated August 14, 2012, as amended. USAID's total estimated contribution for the activities described in this Implementation Arrangement is $30 million, subject to the availability of funds.r2 Any such funds would be provided to a third-party implementer to implement the activities described in this Implementation Arrangement selected through USAID's procurement processes and in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of the United States.

t PgOPa Program Document, page 268

'o PEDP4 Program Document, page 269.

" PEDP4 Program Document, page 269.

" At a later time USAID may provide additional funding for other primary education components, such as

Education in Emergencies, subject to the availability of funds and negotiation with MOPME.

J

/Nl-n

V. Operational Date, Modification, and Termination

This Implementation Arrangement is intended to become operational as of the date of signature by both Participants and is intended to remain operational for five years from such date. This Implementation Arrangement may be extended upon the written consent of both Participants.

This Implementation Arrangement may also be modified in writing by mutual consent of both Participants. In addition, a Participant may terminate this Implementation Arrangement by giving the other Participant at least 30 days written notice.

VI. Project Site Selection

The Participants intend to provide technical assistance to strengthen education delivery for children with disabilities at the national and local levels and implementation assistance in targeted regions determined in joint consultation.

VII. ImplementationMechanism

In order to provide the assistance described herein, USAID may enter into contracts, grants, and other instruments with third-party entities as USAID deems appropriate. MOPME and the Directorate of Primary Education are USAID's GOB counterpart for this Implementation Arrangement. USAID, in consultation with MOPME and the Directorate of Primary Education, intends to oversee implementation of activities and coordinate with relevant organizations whenever necessary.

MOPME, the Directorate of Primary Education, and USAID intend to jointly review the implementation progress within the purview of the PEDP4 Program Document and the Development Project Proforma on a quarterly basis.

n

Signed in Dhaka.

Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

By:

Islam Additional Secretary (America- I ) Economic Relations Divisions Ministry of Finance

Date:

Government of the United States of America

Derrick Brown Mission Director USAID/Bangladesh

Date t L6l1

Endorsed By:

Md. Gias Uddin Additional Secretary (Development) Ministry of Primary and Mass Education

Date v\1 l,/