MCC Improved Learning Environment Infrastructure Activity

The Activity aimed to rectify key aspects of the learning environment, including inadequate heating systems, poor indoor air quality, and inadequate lighting.

At the school level, interventions undertaken through the compact to address these issues included: full interior and exterior rehabilitation of classroom and support buildings; new or significant upgrades to utilities such as electricity, water, and wastewater; and new laboratory classrooms.

Designs to increase student health and safety in rehabilitated schools complied with domestic regulations and reflected international good practice.

A root cause of the poor quality of school infrastructure was the absence of any significant, systematic operations and maintenance programs in Georgia.

Thus, the Improved Learning Environment Infrastructure Activity included a school Operations and Maintenance (O&M) component. This established a viable public-school O&M program at a national level.

This program was intended to help address this root cause of the poor physical condition of the learning environment and promote the sustainability of Improved Learning Environment Infrastructure Activity investments in school rehabilitation.

Under the activity, the Governement of Georgia (GoG), with and through MCA-Georgia, developed a national school O&M framework plan, established a dedicated national budget line for school O&M, conducted comprehensive inspections of most school buildings, developed software to plan and manage school O&M and minor repairs, designed and executed urgent repairs in two municipalities, and trained key personnel on school O&M good practices.

The Improved Learning Environment Infrastructure Activity: - Rehabilitated 91 schools across the country; - Introduced science laboratory classrooms and equipment in 91 schools; and - Provided data, information, and planning to improve school operations and maintenance practices for all public schools in Georgia.