Center for Education Projects PIU The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(SELECTION of FIRM)

Republic of Armenia
Education Improvement Project
Loan No.: 5387-AM; Credit No.: 8342-AM
Project ID: P130182

Assignment Title:
Revision of Subject Standards and Curricula for General Secondary Education in the Context of General Education State Program

Reference No.: PP lines 1.4.6, Consultancy Sheet
The Republic of Armenia has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Education Improvement Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
The consulting services (“the Services”) include:
(i) Revision of Subject Standards and Curricula for General Secondary education in the context of General Education State Program,
(ii) defining the scope of intended changes based on close consultations with the MoES and other relevant stakeholders and findings of the needs assessment for the general education state standards and curriculum and draft national curriculum,
(iii) developing Subject Standards and Curricula for General Secondary education, by soliciting input from all relevant partners and stakeholders and incorporating lessons from the best experience in curriculum reform in other countries,
(iv) cooperating strongly with the National Institute of Education during the implementation of this task ensuring its active engagement in the process and thus assisting in its capacity building as the main actor in the given field which will be responsible for the further maintaining and development of subject standards and curricula.
The following activities are to be carried out by the selected firm:
• Create working groups to develop the general education state program and based on it, subject standards and subject curricula for the following learning areas: Mathematics, ICT and Computer Science, Armenian Language and Literature, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Foreign Languages, Arts, Technology, Physical Training, and Safety Activities.
• Study and review the relevant documents regarding the assignment (such as RA legislation on Education, including current curriculum (GoA Protocol Decision N20, dated 27.05.2004) and General Education State Standard (GoA decree N439, dated 08.04.2010), needs assessment study for the general education state standards and curriculum, relevant concept papers developed by the MoES, etc);
• Revise General Education State Program for 1-12 grades which shall include:
• clarified subject list, allocated hours per subject (sample teaching plan), principles on development of subject lists and defining the amount of subject hours,
• the format (structure) and principles of development of subject curricula,
• sample theme plans, sample lesson plans and principles of their development,
• principles and methods of contemporary teaching and student assessment,
• revised subject standards and curricula;
• Participate in seminars presenting and discussing the accomplished activities and revised documents;
• Invite input on the revised subject standards and curriculum from main stakeholders (teachers, parents, NGOs involved in education, business communities, etc.). Analyze the outcomes of public discussions;
• Based on the discussion results, prepare final version of revised General Education State Program, subject standards and curricula;
• Recommendations for the introduction of the revised General Education State Program, subject standards and curricula in schools;
• Prepare reports.
The contract signing is anticipated in June, 2018 and the completion date is August, 2019 with the possible extension of up to one year.
The "Center for Education Projects" PIU SA now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.
The shortlisting criteria are:
• General experience of the firm (Experience (including international) in development of curricula and implementation of education projects, development of methodological guidelines, conducting public and expert discussions) - 30 points
• Special experience of the firm (Experience (including international) in development of methodological guidelines for general education subject curriculum and assessment and research projects in general education area) – 40 points
• Professional staff qualification and competence for the assignment (Strong team of experienced professionals with high level of knowledge in natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, language disciplines, psychology and gender issues in education, as well as experience in teaching in one of the above mentioned disciplines, having publications in specialized journals and experience in development of subject standards, national curriculum, educational standards, and/or tests, pedagogical and educational research studies) – 30 points

The attention of interested firms is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers, January 2011 (“Consultant Guidelines”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a subconsultancy to enhance their qualifications.
A firm will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) set out in the Consultant Guidelines.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during working days at office hours 11:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00 hours.
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by February 26, 2018; 17:00 Local time:
"Center for Education Projects" PIU SA
73 S. Vratsyan street, Yerevan, 0070, Armenia
Tel: (+37410) 57-56-90 ext. 27
E-mail: cfep@arminco.com
Mr. Vardan Poghosyan, Procurement Officer
For additional information, please contact by the email above.