The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Malawi Education Sector Improvement Project (MESIP) (P154185) Malawi Education Sector Improvement Project (MESIP) (P154185) AFRICA | Malawi | Education Global Practice | Recipient Executed Activities | Investment Project Financing | FY 2017 | Seq No: 6 | ARCHIVED on 01-May-2019 | ISR35990 | Implementing Agencies: Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Key Dates Key Project Dates Bank Approval Date: 31-Aug-2016 Effectiveness Date: 13-Dec-2016 Planned Mid Term Review Date: 28-Feb-2019 Actual Mid-Term Review Date: 18-Mar-2019 Original Closing Date: 31-Dec-2020 Revised Closing Date: 31-Dec-2020 pdoTable Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The overall Project Development Objective (PDO) is to improve the equity and quality of primary education service delivery in earlygrade levels with an emphasis on improved accountability and functioning at the school level. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No Components Table Name Component 1: Performance-based school improvement grants for improving promotion and retention.:(Cost $10.24 M) Component 2: Improving Equity for the most disadvantaged, including girls.:(Cost $9.60 M) Component 3: Improving learning outcomes, accountability and cost-effectiveness at school level.:(Cost $6.91 M) Component 4: Variable Part/Disbursement Linked Indicators.:(Cost $13.47 M) Component 5: Project management, and sector program support and coordination.:(Cost $4.68 M) Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating Substantial Substantial Implementation Status and Key Decisions 1. The results of the MESIP’s mid-term review revealed all planned interventions have been rolled out with observable results at the school and community level. The Pupil-to-Qualified Teacher Ratio (PqTR) for grades 1 and 2 in the 8 target districts reduced from a ratio of 1 qualified teacher for every 166 learners in 2016 (1:166) to 1 qualified teacher for every 124 learners (1:124) in 2018. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) is continuing efforts to ensure that the PqTR for lower grades across districts is closer to the 5/1/2019 Page 1 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Malawi Education Sector Improvement Project (MESIP) (P154185) national average PqTR. In addition, the pilot interventions for cost-effective improvements in learning outcomes are being implemented. This includes the school leadership program, real-time school data collection and community involvement in schools. Progression of learners from one grade to another at the lower primary level improved by 7.6 percent in one year which points an urgent need to sustain the efforts that generated these significant improvements in the target districts for national adoption. However, 94 classrooms had been constructed compared to the targeted 100 classrooms at mid-term. Nevertheless, the overall target of 500 classrooms is likely to be met. Government is in the process of implementing the following strategies which are expected to lead to further improvements in quality of primary education in Malawi: (a) the Primary Teacher Management Strategy (2018-2023); (b) the National Girls' Education Strategy (2018- 2023) and; (c) The Promotion Policy for Malawi Primary Schools. 2. Several interventions have been implemented by schools using the MESIP school grants, notable of which are the 754 learning shelters which reduced the outdoor classrooms for grades/standards 1 and 2 from 10.3 percent to 3.7 percent between 2017 and 2019. Adoption of school led construction of learning shelters seems to offer a realistic solution to the ever-rising cost of classroom construction coupled with the estimated 23,000 classroom gap for primary schools in Malawi, for effective and hygienic learning environments. The design is to be reviewed by the World Bank expert on construction to ensure compliance to global norms of quality, environmental protection and children’s safety. 3. Consensus has been reached that the results framework should be revised for effective measurement of project progress and results. Government in consultation with the World Bank task team has agreed a set of actions to be undertaken that will lead to endorsement and approval of the revised of the results framework by Local Education Group (LEG), and management teams of the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). Risks Systematic Operations Risk-rating Tool Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Political and Governance High High Substantial Macroeconomic Substantial Substantial Substantial Sector Strategies and Policies Moderate Moderate Moderate Technical Design of Project or Program Substantial Substantial Substantial Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Sustainability Substantial Substantial Substantial Fiduciary Substantial Substantial Substantial Environment and Social Moderate Moderate Moderate Stakeholders Substantial Substantial Moderate Other -- Substantial Substantial Overall Substantial Substantial Substantial Results PDO Indicators by Objectives / Outcomes Improving the equity and quality of primary education service delivery in early grade levels IN00668997 ►Number of additional classrooms built or rehabilitated at the primary level resulting from project interventions. (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target 5/1/2019 Page 2 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Malawi Education Sector Improvement Project (MESIP) (P154185) Value 0.00 0.00 94.00 500.00 Date 01-Jan-2016 22-Oct-2018 26-Apr-2019 31-Dec-2020 Construction of the first consignment of 286 classrooms, 198 gender friendly sanitation facilities & 30 boreholes is ongoing. The overall target will be met and contracts for the second phase of construction Comments: were awarded. These will be supported by a portion of the funds earned from the first set of DLIs. IN00668999 ►Increased grade-wise promotion rates in lower primary grades (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 56.20 79.00 60.50 81.00 Date 30-Oct-2017 11-Sep-2017 29-Oct-2018 31-Dec-2020 The baseline has been updated to reflect the results from the data validation process undertaken at MTR. Comments: The restructuring will further propose amendments to this indicator as well as the end target. Improved accountability and functioning at the school level IN00668998 ►Reduced Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR) in lower primary grades (Text, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target 123 pupils to 1 132 pupils to 1 166 pupils to 1 qualified Value -- qualified primary qualified lower primary primary school teacher school teacher teacher Date 31-Oct-2016 11-Sep-2017 31-Oct-2018 31-Dec-2020 The data validation process generated new values for the years 2016 to 2018. Results also indicate that Comments: the end target has been met. IN00669000 ►Pilot interventions for cost-effective improvements in learning outcomes implemented (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No Yes Yes Yes Date 01-Jan-2016 22-Oct-2018 28-Feb-2019 31-Dec-2020 All the pilot interventions planned are being implemented. The restructuring process will make changes to Comments: this indicator. Intermediate Results Indicators by Components Component 1: Performance-based school improvement grants for improving promotion and retention. IN00669046 ►Participating schools received performance grant allocation (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 267.00 317.00 400.00 5/1/2019 Page 3 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Malawi Education Sector Improvement Project (MESIP) (P154185) Date 01-Jan-2016 16-Apr-2018 28-Feb-2019 31-Dec-2020 The 2018 target was exceeded by 58 percent. Comments: Component 2: Improving Equity for the most disadvantaged, including girls. IN00669047 ►Sanitary facilities (total number of blocks and number of cubicles for boys and girls) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 63.00 300.00 Date 01-Jan-2016 22-Oct-2018 26-Apr-2019 31-Dec-2020 Construction of 198 gender friendly latrine blocks is ongoing at 66 primary schools while the second set of Comments: latrine blocks are to be built through the Phase 2 awarded contracts. IN00669050 ►Water facilities (drinking water and hands washing points) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 150.00 Date 01-Jan-2016 22-Oct-2018 28-Feb-2019 31-Dec-2020 Construction of the handwashing points is ongoing. Comments: Component 3: Improving learning outcomes, accountability and cost-effectiveness at school level. IN00669048 ►Schools with trained Head Teachers and Deputy Head Teachers (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 800.00 Date 01-Jan-2016 22-Oct-2018 28-Feb-2019 31-Dec-2020 Training modules were piloted in schools. Finalization of materials is ongoing and the roll out of the Comments: training to the selected schools is planned for May 2019. IN00669051 ►Primary Education Advisors (PEA) trained in teachers' management at school level (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 150.00 Date 01-Jan-2016 22-Oct-2018 28-Feb-2019 31-Dec-2020 Training materials pre-tested. Finalization process ongoing. Training of PEAs will start in May along with Comments: the headteachers' leadership training. IN00669052 ►Schools where observations of performance of school Head-teachers, Deputy Head-teachers and PEAs performed (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target 5/1/2019 Page 4 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Malawi Education Sector Improvement Project (MESIP) (P154185) Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 800.00 Date 01-Jan-2016 22-Oct-2018 28-Feb-2019 31-Dec-2020 This indicator is not yet due for reporting. The monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan indicates that reporting on this indicator would start at the close of Year 3 after the head teachers and deputies have Comments: been trained in school leadership and management. IN00669053 ►Citizen-feedback mechanism established in participating zones/districts (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No No No Yes Date 01-Jan-2016 22-Oct-2018 28-Feb-2019 31-Dec-2020 This indicator is not yet due for reporting. The M&E Plan projected that reporting on this indicator will be done at the end of the 3rd and 4th years of the project. However, there are proposals to replace this Comments: indicator during the restructuring process. IN00669054 ►Zonal officers, Head-teachers, Deputy Head-teachers trained on interpretation of report cards (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 800.00 Date 01-Jan-2016 22-Oct-2018 28-Feb-2019 31-Dec-2020 Collection of data to support the development of the report cards been initiated with support from the Comments: contracted firm. However, there are proposals to change this indicator during the restructuring process. Component 4: Variable Part/Disbursement Linked Indicators. IN00669049 ►Strategy and Action Plan on repetition reduction approved, endorsed and operationalized in targeted districts (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value No No Yes Yes Date 01-Jan-2016 15-Mar-2018 28-Feb-2019 31-Dec-2020 Strategy endorsed in June 2018 and it constituted one of the disbursement linked results (DLRs) for the Comments: variable tranche. Its completion earned US$2 million for Government. Disbursement Linked Indicators IN00669055 ►DLI 1 Learning Outcomes: Reduction in PqTR in Grades 1 and 2 in 8 most disadvantaged districts (Text, Outcome, 4,490,000.00, 44.54%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) July 2020 166 lower primary pupils for 123 lower primary pupils Agreed DLR met Baseline to be supplied Value every 1 qualified primary to every 1 qualified and validated by by the ongoing MLSS school teacher primary school teacher third party 5/1/2019 Page 5 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Malawi Education Sector Improvement Project (MESIP) (P154185) Date -- 22-Oct-2018 22-Oct-2018 -- Comments: Baseline value will be supplied at MTR DLI 1.1 Endorsement of a comprehensive strategy and action plan for improving the distribution of teachers (Yes/No, Process, 2,000,000.00, 0.00%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) July 2020 Value No Yes Yes No Date -- 29-Jun-2018 29-Jun-2018 -- DLI 1.2 20% reduction in PqTR grades 1 & 2 in 8 most disadvantaged districts (Percentage, Outcome, 2,490,000.00, 0.00%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) July 2020 Value 0.00 0.00 26.00 20.00 Date -- 22-Oct-2018 22-Oct-2018 -- IN00669058 ►DLI 2 Increase in femaile to male teacher ratio in grades 6-8 in 8 most disadvantaged districts (Text, Outcome, 4,490,000.00, 44.54%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) July 2020 10% increase in Strategy was endorsed for female to male Value No Strategy was not in place implementation teacher ratio for grades 6-8 Date -- 22-Oct-2018 28-Feb-2018 -- Comments: Revised UNGES DLI 2.1 Endorsement of a comprehensive strategy and action plan for improving female to male teacher ratio (Yes/No, Process, 2,000,000.00, 0.00%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) July 2020 Value No Yes Yes No Date -- 29-Jun-2018 29-Jun-2018 -- DLI 2.2 Increase in femaile to male teacher ratio in grades 6-8 in 8 most disadvantaged districts (Text, Outcome, 2,490,000.00, 0.00%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) July 2020 10% reduction in repetition rate in Value No 0.00 0.00 Grades 1-4 in Eight Most Disadvantaged Districts. Date -- 22-Oct-2018 22-Oct-2018 -- IN00669061 ►DLI 3 Reduction in repetition rate in grades 1-4 in 8 most disadvantaged districts. (Text, Outcome, 4,490,000.00, 44.54%) 5/1/2019 Page 6 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Malawi Education Sector Improvement Project (MESIP) (P154185) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) July 2020 10% reduction in Not yet due for Not yet due for Not yet due for Value repetition for grades measurement measurement measurement 1-4 Date -- 29-Jun-2018 29-Jun-2018 -- DLI 3.1 Endorsement of national implementation strategy and action plan for promoting efficiency measures at the school level to reduce repetition in lower primary (Yes/No, Process, 2,000,000.00, 0.00%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) July 2020 Value No Yes Yes Yes Date -- 29-Jun-2018 29-Jun-2018 -- DLI 3.2 10% reduction in repetition rate in grades 1-4 in 8 most disadvantaged districts. (Percentage, Outcome, 2,490,000.00, 0.00%) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) July 2020 Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Date -- 22-Oct-2018 22-Oct-2018 -- Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P154185 TF-A2913 Effective USD 44.90 44.90 0.00 26.24 18.66 58% Key Dates (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P154185 TF-A2913 Effective 31-Aug-2016 22-Sep-2016 13-Dec-2016 31-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2020 Cumulative Disbursements 5/1/2019 Page 7 of 8 The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Malawi Education Sector Improvement Project (MESIP) (P154185) Restructuring History There has been no restructuring to date. Related Project(s) There are no related projects. 5/1/2019 Page 8 of 8