As part of the Human Capital Project, an international technical assistance contract was signed on the morning of Monday, March 16, between the Special Projects Management Unit (UGPE) and the Institute of Education, Quality, and Assessment (EduQA) (EduQA) of Portugal, with the aim of supporting the Ministry of Education of Cape Verde in the preparation and implementation of the PISA for Schools Program.
The agreement was signed by the UGPE Coordinator, Nuno Gomes, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of EduQA, Luís Pereira dos Santos.
On the occasion, UGPE Coordinator Nuno Gomes highlighted the long-standing partnership between the Ministry of Finance, through the UGPE, and the Ministry of Education in the development of structural projects for the education sector. He also reaffirmed the commitment of UGPE and the World Bank to continue supporting initiatives that contribute to human capital development, technical capacity building, and the strengthening of the education system in Cape Verde.
For his part, the National Director of Education, Adriano Moreno, noted that the implementation of PISA Escolar could play a transformative role in Cape Verdean education, representing a collective commitment to the quality of teaching.The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Education, Amadeu Cruz, who, in his closing remarks, emphasized that the initiative represents an important step for Cape Verde to continue improving the quality of its education system. The minister stressed the importance of conducting the assessment process with credibility and responsibility, contributing to the continuous improvement of education in the country.
During the ceremony, EduQA President Luís Pereira dos Santos presented the program, noting that PISA for Schools will enable Cape Verde to prepare for potential participation in the international PISA assessment, encouraging the country to take that step in the future.
The technical assistance will last 12 months and includes training for the national technical team, focusing on adapting assessment tools, implementing the program, and interpreting and using the results to improve learning, student performance, and the education system.
PISA for Schools – the Programme for International Student Assessment – is an international study conducted by the OECD since 2000 that assesses the performance of 15-year-old students in mathematics, reading, and science. The tests are scheduled to be administered in Cape Verde in May of this year.