DISCLOSURE NOTICE

The Government of Malawi is implementing the Skills for a Vibrant Economy (SAVE) project with support from the World Bank (International Development Association, hereinafter, the Association). SAVE is financed through a national resource envelope of US$100 million from the Association for a period of five years. The Project Development Objective is to increase equitable access to market-relevant skills in priority areas of the economy, especially for females and vulnerable youth. The project consists of the following four components: 

• Component 1: Supporting public higher education institutions in increasing equitable access to market relevant skills development programs. 

• Component 2: Supporting Technical, Entrepreneurial, and Vocational Education and Training to increase equitable access to market relevant skills development. 

• Component 3: Tertiary education student financing and system strengthening, project management, M&E, and communications. 

• Component 4: Contingency Emergency Response. 

Therefore, the notice serves to notify interested and affected stakeholders and the general public about the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) that has been developed to ensure that the project complies with International Industry Best Practices regarding construction. The ESMP addresses risks arising from environmental and social screening of the Integrated Teaching Facility incorporating the School of ODeL Hub, Domasi. The Facility aims to improve academic excellence and access to market-relevant skills-development programs. Specifically, the project will increase student enrolment, quality of teaching and research, train high-level human resource, provide research and consultancy services, and disseminate knowledge for societal advancement. Construction activities for the project will involve building a two-story ODeL hub that will comprise offices, printing room with storage facilities, sound proof studio room, computer room with relevant facilities, conference room , classrooms and supporting offices, pantries, wash-rooms, and other ancillary infrastructure. 

The project aligns with national and World Bank environmental and social standards. The DCE Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) identifies potential impacts, proposes mitigation measures and establishes a monitoring framework to ensure responsible project execution. The plan provides a monitoring plan to enhance implementation of measures for positive impacts and mitigation measures for negative impacts.

Some of the positive impacts that the ESMP identified include improving the face of the institution; increased student intake at the College; increased employment opportunities for construction workers; and increased trade opportunities for people from surrounding communities. 

Some of the negative impacts identified by the ESMP report included increased air pollution due to increased dust emissions; increased noise pollution due to construction works; increased soil and water pollution due to spillage of oils and fuels; increased accident incidences due to construction works; increased generation of solid waste; increased traffic flow to the College campus, leading to traffic management issues; increased risk to the safety of staff and students at the College during the construction phase; increased risk of disturbance to teaching and learning activities at the College; increased risk of gender-based violence, sexual harassment, and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse; increased risk of child and forced labor; and increased risk of construction work-induced traffic congestion. 

The Environmental and Social Management Plan for the project site has been presented to the Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) and the World Bank and is now ready to be presented to stakeholders. 

The report is now available for reference purposes at any time at the following locations: 

• Malawi Environmental Protection Agency, Lingadzi House, and Robert Mugabe Street in Lilongwe 

• Domasi College of Education Campus, Off M3 road, 1 km from Domasi Police. 

• Domasi College of Education website, www.dce.ac.mw;

To this end, Domasi College of Education proposes to engage all concerned stakeholders about the report. In addition, the College invites stakeholders and interested persons to participate in the Public Disclosure of the report. The methods include the press, meetings and uploading on all accessible websites. DCE is requesting for any observations to be submitted not later than 15th November 2024 to: 

Principal, Domasi College of Education Private Bag 49 Domasi

Email: ayambeni@dce.ac.mw 

Copy : kbuya@dce.ac.mw 

Phone Number: +265 1 636 255/ +265 1 636 256/ +265 1 636 219/ +265 1 636 283

We look forward to your participation in this public disclosure.