MINISTRY TO FINANCE 450 SCHOOL PROJECTS
FOR EDUCATION REFORM
The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (MECS) decided to finance 450 school projects with 3.5 billion MNT for the third phase of the Education Quality Reform Project (EQRP).
The EQPR, funded by the World Bank, aims to improve the quality of education for primary school children in Mongolia, with particular emphasis on improving native language and mathematical skills, and strengthening schoollevel planning. The third phase focuses on the implementation of a school support program, which intends to scale up the ministry’s school financing for primary schools throughout the country.
Head of MECS Preschool and Primary Education Department J.Myagmar stated, “The school selection is being held a little differently this year. Instead of listing all the challenges schools face, the focus of projects have been put on enhancing the quality of mathematics, Mongolian language, and science.”
J.Myagmar stated that proposals of 450 out of around 650 schools were accepted for the third phase and that approximately 2,000 to 3,000 USD will be granted to each school. Some of the approved projects were introduced dur- ing the launch of the third phase of the EQRP on May 29.
The first phase of the EQRP was launched on June 6, 2014 and focused on improving learning outcomes, particularly in teaching basic numeracy and math skills to first and second grade primary students. The total project cost is estimated at 30 million USD and will end on December 31, 2020.
“Our school applied for the EQRP last year to build a Mongolian-style cabinet. We were able to build the cabinet through the project and now, it’s fully in use,” said O.Bagttsengel, a teacher from Primary School No.72 in Chingeltei District.
The cabinet includes Mongolian traditional games, plastic feast dishes, and furniture. Reportedly, teachers of the respective school allow younger pupils to play at the cabinet and organize special games and competitions once a month for older students.
“First grade students play animal ankle-bone racing games, second grade students flick ankle-bones, and third grade students play ankle-bone snatching games. Children enjoy playing at the Mongolian-style cabinet very much,” said teacher O.Bagttsengel.
Within the scope of the EQRP, Primary School No.60 in Khan-Uul District changed its Mongolian language curriculum to improve children’s drawing and speaking ability by making students draw out stories they read in class and explain what they drew to the rest of the class, according to one of the school teachers.