School Based Procurement and Implementation Manual for Civil Works

Abstract

1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 In 2007 Government introduced Universal Post Primary Education and Training (UPPET) and consequently Universal Secondary Education (USE) to cater for poor students who graduated from UPE. The enrollment increased tremendously thereby out numbering the available infrastructure like classrooms, laboratories, libraries and sanitation. Government re-introduced the double shift system in secondary schools under the USE scheme as a temporary measure to address the increasing number of students. However, the system was to be phased out when more classrooms were constructed. The financial resources for education are constrained and Government has strengthened partnership with the private sector to counteract the imbalance. In support of implementation of UPPET, the Government of Uganda has received credit from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank. 1.2 The Funds amounting to US$ 150 million are being used to pay for goods, works, related services and consulting services procured under this project. It's aimed at increasing access, improving quality and enhancing efficiency of post primary education in Uganda. 1.3 The project mainly has three components that include; Increased Access to Lower Secondary Education, Improved Quality of Lower Secondary Education and enhancing the enabling Environment. Component, I supports expanding lower secondary education through provision of additional school facilities, related school furniture and technical assistance to support the execution of civil works. 1.4 Implementation of the project involves construction of physical facilities for 759 USE schools in three phases. The facilities to be provided include; classrooms, libraries, administration blocks, multi-purpose science rooms, teachers' houses, and sanitation and hygiene facilities as well selected NTCs. A total of 217 schools are benefiting in the first phase, 442 schools from the second phase, and 100 schools from the third phase of the project. 1.5 Construction of facilities in the project is managed through a decentralized/school-based approach, with the responsibility for procurement and contracts for work, furniture and technical site services delegated to School Boards of Governors (BoGs) with technical support from the Technical Supervision Firms and Construction Management Unit (CMU) of the MOES. Funds are channeled directly from the Ministry to the school bank accounts. 1.6 This supplemental implementation manual should be read together with the following: (a) The SFG Secondary General Implementation Guidelines dated January 2010; (b) Procurement and Disposal Guidelines for Schools in Uganda issued in 2003; (c) The Environmental and Social Management Framework; (d) The training modules for procurement and Financial Management; (e) Plan for Construction; (f) The technical handbook for Secondary School Facilities; and, (g) Resettlement Policy Framework.