Impact of foreign aid on education in Bosnia
Through financial support by international bodies such as the World Bank, Bosnia has been able to rehabilitate two of its main projects. These include the FY96-Emergency Education Project (ERP) and FY98 –Second Education Reconstruction Project (ERP II).The rehabilitation process entailed repairing schools which had been damaged during the war (Laurie & ‘Brien 14). In order to fully re-establish the school, new stationeries, text books and other learning materials such as models were purchased. The stationeries and learning materials were allocated to schools depending on their student capacity. In addition to the rehabilitation of schools, buildings within the Ministry of Education were also reconstructed. This was undertaken with the aid of the Emergency Education Project.
During the second Education Reconstruction Project, equality funding was undertaken. This was implemented through the quality fund which entailed conducting a comprehensive analysis of inequalities available in schools. The analysis contributed towards an improvement of the quality of education. In addition, this reconstruction project ensured that education was accessible to all. This contributed towards attainment of the Ministry of Educational goal which entailed provision of universal education to everyone (Diane 98). As a result, children from diverse social settings had an equal chance of accessing quality education. In addition, the high quality of education ensured that students who graduated from various educational institutions had equal access to job opportunities (Laurie and O’Brien 14).
Currently, the FY00 Project (Education Development Project) is being implemented as a strategy to institute the education reforms. The project has been instrumental in improving management of schools and other educational sectors through establishment of various institutions and other tools such as Standard and Assessment Agency and the Education Information Systems. Effective management of schools has led to improvement of performance in educational institutions. As a result, the education sector has undergone through total reforms. For example, new secondary schools have been established (Gerrit 152). Statistics show that the education sector in Bosnia has consumed approximately 3% of the total amount of money granted by World Bank and other donors. This translates to approximately $ 29 Million (Kimberly & Gale 19).
Impact of foreign aid on health in Bosnia
FY97-Essential Hospital Service Project was the first project to be funded by World Bank within Bosnia’s health sector. The project entailed reconstruction and reformation of all health facilities. This contributed towards achievement of sustainable and equitable health care provision in the country (Laurie & O’Brien 15). One of the ways through which the reforms were undertaken entailed construction of new hospitals and clinical centers. In addition, the newly constructed health institutions were equipped with the necessary supplies.
In order to improve efficiency of operation, the clinical skills of personnel working within the health sector were upgraded through training. This ensured that individuals seeking health services received better health care. In addition, a new model of health care provision has also been developed and introduced in Bosnia. The model ensures effective delivery of primary health care through the current project on health, that is, the FY99 health project. As a result, the quality of Health Service has also improved. For example, child mortality rates have significantly been reduced while maternal health has improved. In addition, individuals within the low income class can now easily access essential health care services such as child immunization. Creation of health insurance fund has enabled people to receive compensation thus increasing their ability to pay their medical bill in case of falling sick. This is applicable within the entire period they are entitled to the insurance benefits.
Through the reforms within the health sector, it has become possible for health institutions to prevent and control some epidemics and communicable diseases. For example, individuals suffering from physical or mental disability or those who are psychologically traumatized can now undergo through a rehabilitation program at community based rehabilitation centers located either within or near existing health centers (De Vries & Kzalinga 246-251). Grants and financial aid from donors and the World Bank has enabled the Bosnian government to be able to meet its current expenditure such as paying salaries to civil servants working within the health sector and buying essential drugs necessary in administering treatment. This further aids in relieving financial burden on the citizens through taxation. Family health care systems have also been established to enable all members of a family to attain their health care needs. Since 1991, the heath sector, along other social services sector, has consumed approximately 11% of all the financial foreign aid advanced to Bosnia by the World Bank and other donors. This translates to approximately US $ 89 Million (Kimberly & Gale 19).
Impact of foreign aid on infrastructure in Bosnia
Bosnia’s infrastructure is the largest recipient of financial aid advanced by the World Bank. For instance, during the financial years ranging from 1996 to 2003, the sector received more than 35% of the total financial aid received from International Development Association (IDA). The money was utilized in funding 14 infrastructural projects. Since 1991, the sector has continually received approximately 9% of the total financial commitments by International Development Association (IDA) to Bosnia. This translates to approximately US $ 71 million. The projects in undertaken within the country’s infrastructure related to water, energy and sanitation and transportation systems.
The initial reconstruction phase entailed reconstruction of the country’s infrastructure since they had greatly been damaged during the war (Laurie and O’Brien 17). Some of the infrastructures that had been greatly destroyed and required reconstruction included telecommunication, transport and energy. As a result of the foreign aid advanced by the World Bank, the government has been able to reconstruct the country’s transportation system such as roads in both rural and urban areas (Common Wealth Bureau of Agricultural Economics and Common Wealth Agricultural Bureau 1).Other links within the transport system such as bridges, railways, tunnels and the Sarajevo airport that had been destroyed during the war have also been repaired. In addition, natural gas, the coal industry and energy district heating have also been developed to generate power. In addition the public transport system within the city has also been restored through the importation of buses. The country’s civil aviation infrastructure has also been repaired. This has improved efficiency in movement of people and goods between Bosnia and other countries. Water, sewerage and electricity systems which were destroyed during the war have been restored in most parts of the country. In addition, the financial aid has also enabled construction of these infrastructures in areas that did not have (World Bank et al 84). This has made Bosnia a better place to live in. In addition, availability of infrastructure has contributed towards investors considering Bosnia a viable investment destination. This has significantly contributed towards the country’s economic growth.
From the above analysis, it is evident that the foreign aid advanced by the World Bank and other donors to Bosnia has significantly contributed towards its economic growth. The financial aid has enabled reconstruction of various economic sectors such as education, health and infrastructure.
Works Cited
Common Wealth Bureau of Agricultural Economics and Common Wealth Agricultural Bureau. Rural development abstracts: Volume 22. New City: The Bureau, 1999. Print.
De Vries, Albert and Klazinga, Niek. Mental health reform in post-conflict areas: a policy analysis based on experiences in Bosnia Herzegovina and Kosovo. The European Journal of Public Health, 16.3(2006):246-25.
Diane, Johnstones. Bosnia peace operation progress toward achieving the Dayton Agreement’s goals: report to the Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations. New York: U.S. Senate Publisher, 2010. Print.
Gerrit, Stratmann. Donor coordination of economic assistance to Eastern Europe: Mechanisms and origins of sectoral governance in international relations. London, NJ: Lit Verlag Munster, 2000. Print.
Kimberly, Hunt. Encyclopedia of Associations: pts. 1-2. National Organizations of the U.S. New York: Gale Group, 2004. Print.
Laurie, Effron and O’Brien, Stephen. Bosnia and Herzegovina: post-conflict Reconstruction and the transition to a market economy: an OED evaluation of World Bank support. New York: World Bank Publications, 2004. Print.
World Bank, Wei Ding and Wallich, Christine. Bosnia and Herzegovina: toward Economic recovery. New Mexico: World Bank Publications, 1996. Print.