The consultancy to mentor trainers of short-term school readiness classes in 106 preschools in Baku (Khatai), Lankaran, Guba, Shamakha, Goygol and Fizuli districts within component 4 on School Readiness of the 2nd Education Sector Development Project.Background and Context: The Government of Azerbaijan (GOA) is committed to reform in the education sector on the basis of the Education Reform Program of 1999 and the 10 Years Education Reform Strategy (2003-2013) prepared by the Ministry of Education (MOE). The main purpose of this reform program and strategy is to address many key sectoral issues, to improve the quality of education and to realign the sector with the needs of the emerging market economy and social conditions. The overall objective of component 4 within Second Education Sector Development Project is to provide access to preschool and increase the school readiness of children between 5 and 6 years of age, targeting low income rayons and vulnerable communities. This piloting will take place in 6 rayons (Lankaran, Guba, Shamakhi, Khatai District of Baku, Fuzuli and Goygol have been selected). The participating rayons have been chosen based on the following criteria: availability of preschools, preschool enrollment and attendance rates, existence of newly constructed or rehabilitated school buildings and available classrooms in these or other schools, and balance between urban and rural areas. The project will support an initiative that drastically differs from the old Soviet-type daycare services. The pilot project methodology will be based on a comprehensive school readiness program that introduces child-centered, individualized teaching, and supports community and family involvement in preschools. The new methodology will encourage the 5-6-year olds to make choices, take responsibility for their decisions, express their ideas creatively, work in groups, and practice independent thinking, the skills that are crucial for their further success in general education. The model developed by UNICEF in March 2009 will be introduced on a 5-day per week basis with half-day programs offered in two shifts a day. Such measure will significantly increase the number of beneficiaries. Currently there is a lack of preschool curriculum that can be used in order to meet the requirements that would help the students to develop the skills discussed above. In this regard, a provisional curriculum, which will be adapted from the experience of similar states will be adapted and used until the new curriculum will be developed and implemented in two years or so. The preschool sections in the pilot schools will be managed and taught by mostly the preschool teachers and some other teachers in these schools depending on their educational background, major and the age groups they work with. In any case, both the general secondary education instructors and kindergarten caregivers will be intensively trained on working with the interim and new curricula, and dealing with the new preschool cohorts. UNICEF will support the MOE in training the core group of trainers that will further train the next generation of teachers who will work with the school readiness groups. Given the time limitations of some teachers and linguistic issues in some parts of the country, there is a possibility that some parents and community members might be involved as the teaching assistants to facilitate the process. They would serve as volunteers and receive some basic training. In addition to the trainings and new high quality teaching materials, the institutions would also receive some other resources, such as furniture, equipment and modern teaching and learning materials. Objective of the consultancy Purpose of the assignment Duty station: Azerbaijan (Baku, Shamakha, Goygol, Lankaran, Guba, Fuzuli) Supervisor: Kenan Mammadli, Development Officer Major tasks to be accomplished: Outcomes and deliverables: 5 April 2010 - Detailed schedule of mentorship visits submitted to UNICEF Azerbaijan 5 May 2010 – Report for April submitted to UNICEF Azerbaijan (in the event of extension) Time-Frame: 5 April - 31 July 2010 with possible extension until 20 December 2010 upon satisfactory performance Qualifications or specialized knowledge/experience required: The consultant should have: Estimated cost: Consultancy fee is to be proposed by a potential individual and agreed with UNICEF in line with UN rules and regulations. Procedures and logistics: UNICEF is going to provide the background information, organize meetings and filed visits and provides comments on the drafts. Application: in a sealed envelope or email to: Kenan Mammadli, Development Officer or send the documents mentioned above electronically to baku@unicef.org All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality. UNICEF is an equal opportunity employer. UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. Deadline: 23 March 2010, 15:00hrs GMT+4 For further information please contact: Kenan Mammadli, kmammadli@unicef.org
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