Moldova Education Reform Project
Project ID No. P127388
Terms of Reference for Consulting Services
to Develop a Training Plan for Continuing Training of Teachers
Firm’s selection
1. Background
The Moldova Education Reform Project (MERP) aims to ensure the quality of and maintain the
access to general education while supporting efficiency reforms being implemented in the
education sector. The Project is a World Bank-financed Specific Investment Loan (SIL),
designed to be implemented over five years, between April 2013 and August 2018. It follows a
performance-based approach, and as such, its disbursements are triggered by the achievement
of agreed specific results.
MERP supports the Ministry of Education (MOE) reform program by financing activities that
will strengthen the quality of education and lead to a more efficient education sector. Education
quality initiatives envisioned in MERP include:

Development and implementation of a school improvement package for receiving
schools based on agreed upon quality standards;

Implementation of an updated modern system for training of school directors and
teachers;

Use of a consolidated Education Management Information System (EMIS) system for
the entire education sector which will improve policy making;

Consecutive and continued participation in the Program for International Student
Assessment (PISA).
One of the important target groups of the Project is teachers and school directors, who will
benefit from increased professionalization and prestige of the teaching profession through a
more modern system of staff training. The existing training program will be overhauled to
include provisions for training based on standards for entering teachers and a program of inservice training and classroom support to teachers throughout their careers. In parallel, a new
remuneration program will introduce measures designed to attract, develop, and retain teachers
and school directors in an efficient and effective manner, while enhancing teaching quality and
performance.
The MOE has made progress in terms of the analysis of the teachers and schools directors’
situation in Moldova. First of all, the MOE has implemented an Education Management
Information System (EMIS), which collects class-level administrative data on a number of
education indicators, including teachers. A SABER-Teachers report was completed which
helped identify the strengths and weaknesses of teacher policies in Moldova and areas for
improvement (http://saber.worldbank.org/index.cfm?indx=11&tb=1). Additionally, a
comprehensive evaluation study of the system and programs for in-service training and retraining of teachers in general education has been carried out – Evaluation Study of The
Continuing Training System and Programs Intended for General Education in the Republic of
Moldova. The MOE has also developed professional standards for teaching staff
(http://www.particip.gov.md/proiectview.php?l=ro&idd=2718).
1
3. Objective of the Assignment
The main objective of the assignment is to assist the MOE in developing an in-service training
plan and training materials for training of teachers focused on the implementation of
educational policies promoted at the national level.
4. Main Duties and Scope of Work
In order to achieve the objective, the firm shall perform the following tasks:
Task 1
Diagnostic work. Analyze the existing information –competence standards for teaching staff,
the Education Code, the Education Strategy 2020, etc.-- which will be provided by the MOE in
order to determine the current training needs of the teaching staff, and propose a concept for
the deliverables to be provided under Task 2.
Task 2
Development of training plan. On the basis of the diagnostic work carried out under Task 1,
the firm will develop a training plan. The training plan shall include: (i) the competencies to be
obtained; (ii) the content of the training; (iii) the organization of the training (the delivery modes
to be employed), taking into account the general availability of teachers; and (iv) suggested
schedule.
Task 3
Development of training and reference materials, and certification test. The firm will
prepare: (i) a modular curriculum consisting of 5 training modules, based on the 5 defined
professional standards for teachers1; (ii) training and reference materials covering each module;
(iii) training sessions design; and (v) competency certification test for each module.
Training materials should include relevant case studies, examples and references.
Task 4
Training of Trainers. The firm will conduct a training of 20 trainers selected by the MOE to
(i) test the training course and materials, and (ii) certify them to deliver future sessions of the
training to teachers.
The firm will propose an appropriate number of hours for each module, taking into
consideration the complexity of each standard, and the availability of teachers to attend a
training, plus a maximum of 2 days for planning the delivery, evaluation and reporting.
Upon completion of the training of trainers, the firm will apply a survey of participants to
identify areas for modification of the training, both in terms of content and delivery method.
On the basis of this feedback received, the firm will adjust and finalize the proposed training
and materials. Additionally, the firm will support the MOE in certifying trainers’ competency
to deliver training to teachers through the design of a competency test.
The professional standards cover the whole teaching-learning-evaluation activity and are grouped in 5 main
domains: 1. Learning design and preparation; 2. Learning environment; 3. Teaching-learning-evaluation
process; 4. Professional development; 5. School-family-community relationship.
1
2
Task 5
Participate and assist/coach the selected trainers in one training course for the first cohort of
teachers in each module and provide feedback/advice on further actions.
5. Expected outputs and time schedule
Report 1: The firm shall prepare a Report on the diagnostic work performed, including relevant
conclusions and recommendations on the concept of documents to be developed under Task 2,
and submit it to the MOE for review and approval within three weeks of signing the contract
with MOE.
The Report will be approved by the MOE in two weeks.
Report 2: The firm shall prepare a report on the activities performed, including the proposed
Training materials and submit it to the MOE for review and approval in six weeks from the
approval of Report 1.
The Report will be approved by the MOE in two weeks. Upon receiving MOE’s comments, the
firm will have one week to submit the final document.
Report 3: The firm shall prepare a report on the activities performed, including the draft
Training Plan and submit it to the MOE for review and approval in three weeks from the
approval of Report 2.
The Report will be approved by the MOE in two weeks. Upon receiving MOE’s comments, the
firm will have one week to submit the final document.
Report 4: The firm shall prepare a Report on the training of trainers performed, including test
results and submit it to the MOE for review and comments in three weeks from the approval
of Report 3.
Final report detailing the activities performed, including support provided to the selected
trainers during the first training course with feedback/advice on further actions and final
versions of the developed documents. It will be submitted to the MOE for approval by
September 2016.
All deliverables shall be submitted in written and electronic format (MS Office) in Romanian.
6. Institutional arrangements
The firm will report to the Project Executive Director and the Head of the Pre-University
Division of the MOE.
The MOE will provide the firm with all Project documents deemed necessary for assignment
accomplishment. All costs associated with the training of trainers will be financed by the firm
(space for training of trainers, which will be held in Chisinau, transportation costs for trainees,
accommodations on a need basis, meals, coffee break/lunch, printing of training materials, etc.).
7. Duration of the Assignment
The assignment is expected to start in March 2016 and be completed by September 2016.
3
8. Firm’s qualification requirements
Minimum requirements for the firm:

At least 5 years of professional experience in the areas offering professional training
services in the education sector, including curriculum development

Proven ability and demonstrated successful experience in designing and developing
tailor-made training programs - at least 3 years

Must have developed and delivered at least 3 training programs for teachers in the last
5 years
Minimum requirements for the team members:
Team Leader – shall be responsible for overall coordination of the team activities carried out
under the assignment and will be responsible for all reports for submission

Advanced degree (masters or higher desirable) in pedagogy, education policy or related
fields

At least 7 years of practical working in the education sector

Experience in developing tailor-made training programs in the education sector meeting
client needs, coaching and delivering training courses

Excellent technical writing skills in Romanian

Good knowledge of English and Russian (both written and oral) would be an advantage
Team members/Trainers 2

University degree in pedagogy, areas pertaining to the training subject or other related
areas

Minimum 5 years of experience in delivering pedagogical training to teachers

Minimum 5 years of experience in delivering educational management trainings for
adults

At least 3 years of proven experience in designing tailor-made training programs in the
education sector

Ability to effectively communicate in Romanian
4