Government of Republic of Malawi
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
Skills Development
Project, 2014-2018.
Project ID P131660
ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK.
Proponent
The Secretary for Education, Science and Technology,
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology,
P/Bag 328, Capital City,
Lilongwe 3
Phone: 265 – 1 789 822
Facsimile: 265 – 1 788 184
Malawi.
December 2013
i
Table of Contents
Table of contents i
Annexes ii
Tables ii
Acronyms iii
Executive Summary iv
1.0.0 Chapter One: Background information on the project. 1
1.1.0 Introduction on the project.
1.2.0 Proponent and implementing agencies.
1.3.0 Components of the proposed project.
1.4.0 Project appraisal under World Bank Safeguards Policies.
1.5.0 Justification of environmental and social management framework for the project.
1.6.0 Aim and objectives of the environmental and social management framework.
1.7.0 Users of environmental and social management framework.
1.8.0 Technical approach in the preparation of the report.
2.0.0 Chapter Two: Project Description and Implementation activities. 6
2.1.0 Rationale for Higher Education and Skills Development Project.
2.2.0 Proposed scope of expansion and rehabilitation works.
2.3.0 Outline of main civil works and outputs
2.4.0 Screening potential environmental and social impacts from civil works
2.5.0 Analysis of alternatives in project implementation.
3.0.0 Chapter Three: Description of Policy, Legal and Administrative
Framework for preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment in Malawi. 12
3.1.0 Policy Framework for preparation of environmental impact assessment in Malawi
3.2.0 Administrative Framework for environmental impact assessment in Malawi
3.3.0 Legal Framework for preparation of environmental impact assessment in Malawi.
3.4.0 Review of other relevant policies and laws applicable to the project.
3.5.0 Summary of statutory approvals/licenses to be obtained for the sub-projects.
3.6.0 Review of World Bank Safeguards Policies and Implications for adherence.
4.0.0 Chapter Four Environmental Setting and Analysis of conditions of environmental
Resources in Malawi. 18
4.1.0 Land Resources.
4.2.0 Population and Human Settlements.
4.3.0 Health Situation and HIV/Aids Prevalence.
4.4.0 Climate and Rainfall.
4.5.0 Forest Resources.
4.6.0 Water Resources.
5.0.0 Chapter Five: Environmental and Social Screening Process for Sub-projects. 22
5.1.0 Environmental and social screening framework
5.2.0 Steps in Environmental and social screening process.
5.3.0 Use of the environmental and social checklists.
5.4.0 Carrying out environmental assessment.
5.5.0 Consultation and disclosure.
5.6.0 Recommendations on environmental and social screening of sub-projects
6.0.0 Chapter Six: Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plans 31
6.1.0 An overview of environmental and social management plan.
6.2.0 An overview of environmental monitoring plan
6.3.0 Definition of roles and responsibilities.
6.4.0 Capacity development and training.
Annexes
Annex 1: Terms of reference for environmental and social management framework. 38
Annex 2: Summary of World Bank Safeguards Policies. 41
Annex 3 Environmental and social screening Form for sub-projects. 43
Annex 4 Generic Environmental and Social Checklists. 46
Annex 5 Environmental and social checklist for roads sub-projects 48
Annex 6 Terms of reference for environmental and social screening for expansions. 50
And rehabilitation works for infrastructure under HESD Projects in public colleges
Annex 7 Environmental and Social Contractors Rules. 51
Annex 8 Sample Chance Find Procedures 53
Annex 9: List of people consulted on preparation and revision of environmental
and social management framework 54
Annex 9 Summary of main comments/ suggestions raised by stakeholders 56
Tables
Table 1 Basic outline of civil works within the project. 8
Table 2 Outline of potential negative environmental and social impacts, sources
and potential risks 10
Table 3 Lists of statutory approvals for individual sub-projects during implementation 18
Table 4 Environmental and social management plan for a typical construction and
Rehabilitation works at a public college 32
Table 5 Environmental monitoring plan. 34
Acronyms
ARAP Abbreviated Resettlement Action Plan
DC District Commissioner
DEA Director of Environmental Affairs
DEC District Executive Committee
DESC District Environmental Sub – Committee
DFO District Forestry Officer
EAD Environmental Affairs Department
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EMA Environnent Management Act
ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
ESMF Environmental and Social Management Framework
ESMP Environnemental and Social Management Plan
GOM Government of Malawi
ha hectare
HESD Higher Education and Skills Development Project
HIV Human Immune Defiency Sydrome Virus
IDA International Development Association
LUANAR Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
UNIMA University of Malawi.
MGDS Malawi Growth and Development Strategy.
MK Malawi Kwacha
mm millimetre.
MOEST Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
NAC National Aids Commission.
NCE National Council on Environment.
NCHE National Council of Higher Education
NEAP National Environmental Action Plan.
NEP National Environmental Policy.
NGO Non – governmental organization.
ODL Open Distance Learning
RPF Resetlement Policy Framework.
TCE Technical Committee on the Environment.
TEVETA Technical Vocation and Entrepreneurship Training Authority.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This document serves as an Environmental and Social Management Framework for Higher Education and Skills Development Project. The proponent is Government of Republic of Malawi. The government is seeking the financial support of US$50.00 million from the International Development Association of the World Bank for a Higher Education and Skills Development Project. The proposed implementation period is 5 years, from 2014 to 2018. The proposed Higher Education and Skills Development Project is aimed to improve the role of tertiary and skills development institutions to produce high quality professionals with relevant knowledge and skills that meet the demands of the economy in line with the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy.
1.0 PROJECT COMPONENTS.
Component 1 will cover activities to increase access to and enhance market relevance of skills development. Activities will be implemented by National Higher Education Council, Mzuzu University, Malawi Polytechnic and Chancellor College, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Technical Education Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority. The main instrument for implementing this sub-component will be performance agreements between the Ministry of Finance and selected university colleges and skills development institutions. The performance agreements will help clarify each institution’s distinctive mission, the scope and focus of its educational provision, expectations of its performance, and the labour market areas for which each institution prepares graduates.
Main activities of the component will be (i) expansion and rehabilitation of infrastructure and facilities at the colleges (ii) scaling up of open distance learning and e-learning initiatives to increase access market related fields, and application of information, communication and technology in program delivery, (iii); provision of subsidies for needy students to access technical training. In order to increase market relevance of programs the following key activities will be supported under the project: (i) provision of appropriate equipment and teaching and learning materials; (ii) development and revision of curriculum involving the private sector and based on needs assessment; and full scale adoption of the revised curricula; (iii) capacity building initiatives to ensure the steady improvement in the quality of skills development trainers.
Component 2 of the project activities will focus to strengthen capacities for program implementation. Main activities will include: (i) capacity building for the National Council for Higher Education and institutions in the areas fiduciary management, program coordination and sector planning; and (iii) design and implementation of targeted and efficient student loan financing system.
2.0 RATIONALE FOR THE HIGHER EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
The proposed Higher Education and Skills Development Project will increase the availability of skilled labour at all levels (university, technician, and artisan for both the formal and informal sectors) in priority sectors as articulated in Economic Recovery Programme, the National Education Sector Plan (NESP) and Malawi Development and Growth Strategy (MDGS) II 2012-2016.
Currently, the supply of qualified skilled professionals and technicians in Malawi is highly inadequate because of challenges in faced in higher education and skills development programmes. Developing economies require various types and levels of qualified professionals, specialists with advanced university degrees, professionals and technicians with middle-level vocational qualifications, as well as lower level artisans. The proposed Higher Education and Skills Development Project will enhance a balanced skills development system combining universities and non-university institutions, including technical and vocational training institutions - to address skills shortages in the economy in a comprehensive and integrated manner.
3.0 SCOPE OF CONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION WORKS.
This report focuses on appraisal of environmental and social safeguards of the project activities. The components of much relevance to environmental and social safeguards are proposed infrastructural development activities at the colleges. Basic description of proposed rehabilitation and expansion activities are as follows:
· Rehabilitation activities at Chancellor College, The Malawi Polytechnic, Mzuzu University will include maintenance of leaking roofs, broken fittings, drainage works, painting, re-surfacing of worn access roads. Planned expansion involves the construction of satellite learning centres in six education divisions, constructions of additional lecture rooms, laboratories, office blocks, library facilities, office space, boarding facilities, dining and kitchen facilities, ablution facilities for students and staff and storm water drainage inside the campus.
· Rehabilitation activities at Bunda College of Agriculture will include extensions to library, maintenance of drains, water and electrical installations, and painting. Planned minor expansion involves the construction of ancillary store rooms, ablution facilities for students and staff, and related walkways.
4.0 PROJECT APPRAISAL UNDER WORLD BANK SAFEGUARDS POLICIES.
Initial appraisal of Higher Education and Skills Development project under World Bank Safeguards Policies, has indicated implications on some negative environmental and social impacts, and the project has been rated under category B of Operational Policy 4:01 (Environmental Assessment). Other safeguards policies triggered are: Operational Policy 4:11 (Physical Cultural Properties) and Operational Policy 4.12 (Involuntary Resettlement). The appraisal under category B of Operational Policy 4:01 (Environmental Assessment) entails that potential environmental and social impacts would have moderate significance in the environs, and there is need of environmental management plans to address the impacts. The main sources of impacts would be from construction and rehabilitation works of the facilities at various campuses of both public and private colleges.
Potential environmental impacts from rehabilitation works and construction of new additional infrastructure would include: clearance of trees and grass on sites, dust emissions, noise nuisance, and clearance of some trees on sites, increase in discharge of surface runoff and soil erosion, increase on solid and liquid wastes on premises among others. Some social impacts may include increase in incidences of theft and burglary cases; increase in spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually infected diseases due to influx of migrant workers.
This Environmental and Social Management Framework has been prepared to guide on environmental screening and management of all sub-projects under this project. A separate Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) has been prepared to guide resettlement and compensation planning and management of socio-economic risks from project activities.
This Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) provides an overall guidance on environmental and social screening and management of the project. Separate and detailed environmental and social management plans will be prepared to cover specific projects (sub-projects) to be implemented under this project. The justification for preparation of this environmental and social management framework at this stage is to provide overall guidance. It is not possible to prepare site specific environmental and social management plans because the specific locations of civil works within the communities are not known at the moment. Project sites and scope of construction and rehabilitation works have not been finalised.
Typical Environmental and Social Management Plan and Environmental Monitoring Plan for a construction and rehabilitation project are presented in chapter 6 as table 5 and 6. These plans will be used as guidelines in preparation of site specific environmental and social management plans for sub-projects (construction and rehabilitation works).
5.0 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK.
The aim of the environmental and social management framework (ESMF) is to establish procedures for initial screening of the negative impacts which would require attention, prior to project implementation within sites. Key specific objectives for the assessment are:
a) To undertake initial forecast of the main potential environmental and social impacts of the planned and future project activities.
b) To recommend environmental and social screening process for project sites and sub-project activities for environmental and social considerations.
c) To review environmental policies of Malawi Government in implementation of the project and relevant the World Bank Operational Policies to be triggered by the project.
d) To develop an environmental management plan for addressing negative externalities in the course of project implementation and operation within environs.
e) To recommend appropriate capacity building for environmental planning and monitoring in the project activities.
f) To recommend appropriate further environmental work, including preparation of the site-specific ESIAs/ESMPs for sub-projects.
6.0 USERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK.
The Environmental and Social Management Framework contains useful information on the procedures for environmental and social screening for sub-projects, potential environmental and social impacts; measures for addressing the negative impacts, recommended environmental and social rules for contractors. In addition, the framework contains useful information on list of required statutory approvals/licences which need to be obtained for project activities. Such information will be useful in planning, implementation of the proposed project activities. In this regard, the report will be useful to the following stakeholders: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, implementing agencies, project consultants (Project Manager, Project Architects, Landscape Architects and Project Engineers), project construction contractors, local authorities and central government agencies responsible for environmental planning and monitoring.
59
1.0.0 CHAPTER ONE: BANKGROUND ON THE PROJECT.
1.1.0 INTRODUCTION ON THE PROJECT.
The proposed project is Higher Education and Skills Development (HESD) Project. The project is aimed to improve the role of tertiary and skills development institutions to produce high quality professionals with relevant knowledge and skills that meet the demands of the economy in line with the Economic Recovery Programme and the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy 2012 - 2016. The proposed period of the project is five years, from 2014 to 2018. The source of funding is a loan of US$50 million from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group to the Government of Republic of Malawi.