Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Enhanced Integrated Framework ...

carry out construction of buildings for librariesand laboratories in the existing universities. Itis also important as part of the strategy to conducta review of university funding so thatuniversities have greater autonomy. For detailinformation refer to Volume II.Skills Development and Training: Many ofthe courses delivered by mandated institutionssuffer from the similar problems: lack of modernequipment that can be used by students toacquire trade-relevant skills and lack of adequatelytrained and motivated staff. Issues thatneed to be addressed include the need toclearly identify administrative responsibilityfor delivering and setting standards in the areaof vocational education. There are problems ofstaff shortages, overbuilding, lack of standardizationin training courses, and qualificationsthat are difficult for potential employers to access.These problems are being addressedthrough the MoU mentioned above.The strategy that has been proposed to addressthis is to establish a new organization, NationalVocational Education and Training Board(NVETB) that would manage, but not operate,all vocational training institutions. The NVETBwould set minimum core competencies forcourses, carry out accreditation, and inspectvocational institutions, to ensure that they meetminimum standards. They would be responsiblefor calling tenders to operate vocationaltraining facilities owned by the state. Tendersto operate training centers that comply withNVETB standards could be accepted from boththe public and private sectors. The proposedapproach using NVETB would address theproblems of lack of modern equipment that canbe used by students to acquire trade-relevantskills, lack of adequately-trained and motivatedstaff, and lack of standardization in courses. Itwould provide for sustainability of the sector,which is currently lacking. Part of the strategywould involve the development of an accreditationsystem for NGO and private sector providerswho provide the bulk of vocationaltraining. By 2008 there would be a plan to formalizeexisting apprenticeship arrangementsand expand the system. The approach will ensurethat a recognized qualification is providedto people undertaking apprenticeships whohave achieved specified basic competencies.Technical/vocational education, as part of theformal secondary education, is included underthe National Education Strategic Plan as is Literacyand Non-formal education. These twoprograms address all three policy goals of thesector. Under the former a National Institute ofAdministration and Management is being establishedto address the lack of capacity in boththe public and private sectors in basic projectmanagement, accountancy and booking andinformation and communication technology. Anation-wide literacy and productive skills programis being launched that is envisaged makingat least half a million people literate andnumerate with skills that will enable them tofind employment. This would be in addition tonumerous other literacy service providers whocoordinate their activities and interventionsunder the leadership of the National LiteracyCentre.There are now firm proposals agreed to byrelevant institutions to the establishment ofregulatory bodies to operate across the wholeof the education spectrum in order to improveeducational standards. These include a Boardof Secondary Education, a National VocationalEducation and training Board, the Islamic EducationBoard and Higher Education Board. Ithas been agreed to establish the necessary legislationfor these Boards and for the implementationof the Afghanistan National QualificationsFramework. In order to oversee thesecomponents of the strategy a committee oneducation and skills policy has been established.This committee covers the entire educationsector. It is chaired by the Vice-President.There are four Government members representingMoE, MoHE, MoLSAMD and MoF, twomembers representing the private sector andtwo members representing the donor community.A committee to monitor Capacity Utilization,headed by the Minister of economy willalso be established. This committee will monitorindividual projects where there is potentialfor capacity utilization issues to present implementationproblems. The private sector willbe represented on this Committee. For detailinformation refer to Volume II.In some countries, heavy investments in highereducation have resulted in low returns becauseof low absorption capacity for these skills in theeconomy, with unemployment rates high forgraduates unwilling to take jobs consideredbeneath their skill level. If the quality of educationcan be improved, this is not expected to bea problem in Afghanistan where there is aEconomical and Social Development 119