INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATA SHEET APPRAISAL STAGE. Project ID:

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1 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy Date ISDS Prepared/Updated: 05-Mar-2014 INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATA SHEET APPRAISAL STAGE Date ISDS Approved/Disclosed: 23-Dec-2013, 06-Mar-2014 I. BASIC INFORMATION 1. Basic Project Data Country: Project Name: Task Team Leader: Estimated 11-Nov-2013 Appraisal Date: Managing Unit: EASHE Lao People's Democratic Project ID: Republic Early Childhood Education Project (P145544) Omporn Regel Estimated Board Date: Lending Instrument: Report No.: ISDSA7981 P Apr-2014 Investment Project Financing Sector(s): Pre-primary education (90%), Primary education (10%) Theme(s): Education for all (100%) Is this project processed under OP 8.50 (Emergency Recovery) or OP No 8.00 (Rapid Response to Crises and Emergencies)? Financing (In USD Million) Total Project Cost: Total Bank Financing: Financing Gap: 0.00 Financing Source Amount BORROWER/RECIPIENT 0.00 International Development Association (IDA) IDA Grant Total Environmental B - Partial Assessment Category: Is this a No Repeater project? 2. Project Development Objective(s) The objective of the project is to increase coverage and improve the quality of early childhood education services for 3 to 5-year-olds in target districts 3. Project Description Page 1 of 8

2 Component 1: Increasing Coverage to Early Childhood Education in Target Districts (US$6.0 million) Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy This component aims to expand coverage of early childhood education services by: (i) transferring grants-in-aid for CBC to communities in target districts to construct pre-primary classrooms; and (ii) piloting CCDGs for 3 and 4-year-olds within target districts. Component 2: Improving Quality of Early Childhood Education Services (US$13.3 million) Given that quality is critical to the success of early childhood education, the objective of this component is to improve the quality of ECE services through a holistic approach. This component consists of two sub-components: (i) supporting services package, which is composed of the community awareness campaign, childhood disability screening, and the NSMP, and (ii) teacher and education officer training, which includes training and development of training materials for teachers, school principals, ECE officers and VEDCs, as well as the development of teaching and learning materials for multi-age teaching for 3 to 5-year-olds. Component 3: Project Management, Capacity Development, and Monitoring and Evaluation (US$8.7 million) This component will support project management, capacity development, and monitoring and evaluation of early childhood education. The component s main activities will include: (i) capacity development and support for financial management, procurement, and internal audit; (ii) capacity development and support for local institutions to undertake evidence-based research on holistic child development and strengthen the capacity of MoES staff through fellowships, short-term training and study tours. The M&E activities will develop the foundations for a child development monitoring system, including the development of a simplified child monitoring tool that teachers can administer and training for central, provincial, and district education officials as well as VEDC members and teachers on the implementation of the tool and the consolidation of information at the school level to facilitate reporting through the M&E network and, eventually, the Education Management Information System (EMIS). In addition, the project will support the development and testing of a classroom observation tool, which the district ECE officers will use to monitor classroom activities during their visits to schools. 4. Project location and salient physical characteristics relevant to the safeguard analysis (if known) The nature, type, scale and scope of impacts under this project will be similar to those under Second Education Development Project (EDP II) and the ongoing Global Partnership for Education (GPE) project. Similar to EDP II and GPE projects, this project s target districts are located in disadvantaged and remote areas with a high density of ethnic populations. There were no major safeguard issues experienced during the course of EDP II and the ongoing GPE projects. All civil works were carried out within existing school premises which are located in communal land areas reserved for school construction. The Ethnic Group Development Plan (EGDP) developed for EDP II and GPE has contributed to the Government s overall strategy for achieving primary education for all, focusing on children from ethnic groups other than Lao who, like girls, children with disabilities and very poor children, are currently under-represented in primary school access and completion. Page 2 of 8

3 5. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy Maya Gabriela Q. Villaluz (EASPS) Satoshi Ishihara (EASTS) Boun Oum Inthaxoum (EASHE) 6. Safeguard Policies Triggered? Explanation (Optional) Environmental Assessment OP/ BP 4.01 Yes The project will involve minor civil works, specifically the construction of pre-primary education facilities within targeted areas. There are likely to be some concerns relating to inconveniences or nuisances (e.g., dust, noise, construction waste) to surrounding areas during construction. However, these potential impacts on the environment are deemed to be minor, sitespecific, and reversible in nature, and for which mitigation measures can be readily designed. Based on the past experience with the EDP II and GPE projects, and to ensure compliance with Bank Safeguards policies, an Environmental Code of Practice (ECoP) for the construction of classrooms (which includes the environmental planning guidelines and environmentally sound construction aspects, environmental monitoring and audit and capacity building, an Environmental Screening checklist and an Environment and Social Management Plan and "Chance Find" procedures) was developed as part of Project Implementation Manual. Natural Habitats OP/BP 4.04 No The project will not cause any degradation of natural habitats as defined under the safeguard policy. Forests OP/BP 4.36 No The project will not degrade critical forest areas as defined under the safeguard policy. Pest Management OP 4.09 No The project will not involve any procurement of pesticides nor cause any increased use of pesticides. Physical Cultural Resources OP/ BP 4.11 No The project will not adversely affect sites with archeological, paleontological, historical, religious, or unique natural values. Indigenous Peoples OP/BP 4.10 Yes OP 4.10 is triggered, because the educationally disadvantaged poor districts where the project components 1 and 2 would be implemented would likely include those districts resided by poor ethnic groups (as Indigenous Peoples are called in Lao). Moreover, the component to Page 3 of 8

4 Involuntary Resettlement OP/BP 4.12 No support future pre-primary education teachers and caregivers is specifically targeted at ethnic groups. This component has been implemented under previous Bank projects in the sector. Throughout its implementation, it has been objectively guided by transparent selection, clear implementation criteria and has benefited from community-validated selection. The client (MoES) has undertaken a social assessment, including in areas where ethnic groups are present, in order to assess the project's potential positive and adverse effects on ethnic groups, and examine project alternatives where adverse effects may be significant. In particular, the social assessment has reviewed existing barriers for ethnic children to receive early childhood education, including those related to language, traditions, customs, values, etc. This assessment identified, in participatory manner, measures to address these barriers. Free, prior and informed consultation have been conducted with a representative sample of ethnic groups who are likely to participate in and affected by the project. This process has allowed their perspectives to be collected and reflected in the project design and that their broad support to the project was strongly ascertained. Given that this project is similar in nature, types, scale and scope of impact to EDP II and GPE projects, the existing Ethnic Group Development Plan (EGDP) for the EDP II and the GPE have been updated based on the social assessment and consultations, prior to having been disclosed both through Infoshop and in-country at convenient locations. The project will construct new pre-primary classrooms within existing primary school with land boundaries which belong to the state. No acquisition of private land, or loss of private assets including trees and structures, is anticipated. It is not anticipated that physical relocation will be necessary. Safety of Dams OP/BP 4.37 No The project does not involve any dams. No Page 4 of 8

5 Projects on International Waterways Projects in Disputed OP/BP 7.50 Areas OP/BP 7.60 II. Key Safeguard Policy Issues and Their Management A. Summary of Key Safeguard Issues No The project does not involve international waterways. The project will not be located in any known disputed areas as defined in the policy. 1. Describe any safeguard issues and impacts associated with the proposed project. Identify and describe any potential large scale, significant and/or irreversible impacts: The project will involve minor civil works, specifically the construction of pre-primary education facilities within targeted areas. All new construction will be on existing school premises. There are likely to be some concerns relating to inconveniences or nuisances (e.g., dust, noise, construction waste) to surrounding areas during construction. However, these potential impacts on the environment are deemed to be minor, site-specific, and reversible in nature, and for which mitigation measures can be readily designed. Based on the past experience with the EDP II and GPE projects, and to ensure compliance with Bank Safeguards policies, an Environmental Codes of Practice (ECoP) for the construction of classrooms (which includes the environmental planning guidelines and environmentally sound construction aspects, environmental monitoring and audit and capacity building, an Environmental and Social Management Plan, and an Environmental Screening checklist) has been developed as part of the Community-Based Contracting for the School Construction Operation Manual (CBCOM). Due to the project s focus on educational disadvantage and ethnic minority groups, the Bank's safeguard policy on indigenous peoples (OP 4.10) is triggered. The project's aim is to improve school readiness for poor ethnic children and it supports government interventions which are sensitive to the needs of these children. The majority of project beneficiaries are expected to be from ethnic background. No involuntary taking of private land or loss of asset is anticipated under the project. 2. Describe any potential indirect and/or long term impacts due to anticipated future activities in the project area: Not applicable 3. Describe any project alternatives (if relevant) considered to help avoid or minimize adverse impacts. Not applicable 4. Describe measures taken by the borrower to address safeguard policy issues. Provide an assessment of borrower capacity to plan and implement the measures described. The Government of Lao PDR has developed under EDP II and GPE projects the CBCOM with environmental safeguards measures and the Ethnic Group Development Plan (EGDP) to ensure compliance with the Bank s Operational Policy 4.10 on Indigenous Peoples, who are referred to as ethnic groups in the Lao context. The EGDP was updated and used under this project given the similarity in nature, types, scale and scope of impacts that may occur as was found under Social Assessment (SA) carried out during the preparation of this project. Free, prior and informed consultations were conducted with ethnic groups as part of SA which found broad community support among ethnic group beneficiaries. No significant negative impact would occur. The EGDP provides principles and procedures to ensure that ethnic groups are identified through ethnic screening, benefit from development projects, and that adverse impacts are either avoided, or if unavoidable, are mitigated. Where ethnic groups are present, it requires special actions to Page 5 of 8

6 safeguard their social and economic status and avoid restriction of their capacity to assert their interests and rights in land and other productive resources. The EGDP is to ensure that ethnic group issues and concerns are addressed in the project planning and implementation process and that they benefit from the project in a culturally appropriate manner. To insure compliance with the Bank s Operational Policy 4.01 on Environmental Assessment, an Environmental Code of Practice (ECOP), which includes an Environmental Screening Checklist and an Environmental and Social Management Plan, has been prepared for the project. The ECoP is provided in the Safeguards chapter of the CBCOM. The MoES has successfully used a CBCOM with a safeguards section under EDPII and GPE. MoES will undertake capacity building activities to ensure the rigorous implementation of the CBCOM and an enhanced institutional arrangement with the VEDC for community-based monitoring and the Ministry of Public Works for technical guidance. Approved projects with environmental and/or social impacts are supervised and monitored by District Engineers, and the Provincial Program Managers. Findings and any recommendations are recorded in quarterly reports which are sent to the Program Manager, through the Provincial Education Service, and shared with Bank supervision missions. Assessment of borrower capacity to plan and implement the measures described: Based on the past experience with the EDP II and GPE projects, the Government of Lao PDR has a good track record of ensuring compliance with Bank Safeguards policies from the planning to implementation. 5. Identify the key stakeholders and describe the mechanisms for consultation and disclosure on safeguard policies, with an emphasis on potentially affected people. In partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports, District Education Bureaus, and Village Education Development Committees, consultation with potential project beneficiaries/ communities was carried out through a participatory Social Assessment, using the mechanism of free, prior and informed consultation (FPIC) (in accordance with the Bank s Indigenous Peoples Policy (OP 4.10) to assess whether the potential target villages and their communities support the implementation of the project. The Ethnic Group Development Plan (EGDP) was prepared based on key findings of Social Assessment and this is part of the process by which the MoES informs the ethnic group communities and local authorities at village, district and provincial levels about the project and the construction of pre-primary education classrooms. The consultation and assessment ensures social engagement and inclusiveness and ethnic groups issues are incorporated in the project s planning, design, implementation and monitoring. Village-level consultation was carried out in three provinces, one in each region of north, central and south, covering 30 schools in 30 different villages, to identify possible issues and concerns that may be raised by potential target beneficiaries, of whom the majority are ethnic groups. Disclosure of both environmental (ECoP) and social safeguards instrument (EGDP) will target directly affected communities. MoES and DEBs, with the assistance of the VEDCs, have made the information publicly available. Public disclosure of documentation has already been carried out in accordance with the disclosure policies of the Bank and MoES through public meetings, newspaper, the Internet sites of MoES and the World Bank s Infoshop. Further information sharing will be provided through additional community meetings and workshops. B. Disclosure Requirements Environmental Assessment/Audit/Management Plan/Other Page 6 of 8

7 Date of receipt by the Bank Date of submission to InfoShop 01-Oct Oct-2013 For category A projects, date of distributing the Executive Summary of the EA to the Executive Directors "In country" Disclosure Lao People's Democratic Republic 19-Dec-2013 Comments: The environmental safeguards document was disclosed in-country both in Lao and English on December 19, 2013 to meet appraisal conditions while the approved English version was disclosed on October 1, Indigenous Peoples Development Plan/Framework Date of receipt by the Bank 18-Dec-2013 Date of submission to InfoShop 19-Dec-2013 "In country" Disclosure Lao People's Democratic Republic 19-Dec-2013 Comments: The social safeguards document was disclosed in-country in Lao and English and at the InfoShop in English on December 19, 2013 to meet appraisal conditions. If the project triggers the Pest Management and/or Physical Cultural Resources policies, the respective issues are to be addressed and disclosed as part of the Environmental Assessment/ Audit/or EMP. If in-country disclosure of any of the above documents is not expected, please explain why: C. Compliance Monitoring Indicators at the Corporate Level OP/BP/GP Environment Assessment Does the project require a stand-alone EA (including EMP) report? OP/BP Indigenous Peoples Has a separate Indigenous Peoples Plan/Planning Framework (as appropriate) been prepared in consultation with affected Indigenous Peoples? If yes, then did the Regional unit responsible for safeguards or Sector Manager review the plan? If the whole project is designed to benefit IP, has the design been reviewed and approved by the Regional Social Development Unit or Sector Manager? The World Bank Policy on Disclosure of Information Have relevant safeguard policies documents been sent to the World Bank's Infoshop? Have relevant documents been disclosed in-country in a public place in a form and language that are understandable and accessible to project-affected groups and local NGOs? All Safeguard Policies Page 7 of 8

8 Have satisfactory calendar, budget and clear institutional responsibilities been prepared for the implementation of measures related to safeguard policies? Have costs related to safeguard policy measures been included in the project cost? Does the Monitoring and Evaluation system of the project include the monitoring of safeguard impacts and measures related to safeguard policies? Have satisfactory implementation arrangements been agreed with the borrower and the same been adequately reflected in the project legal documents? III. APPROVALS Task Team Leader: Name: Omporn Regel Approved By Sector Manager: Name: Luis Benveniste (SM) Date: 06-Mar-2014 Page 8 of 8