Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698835774731.pdf (Sierra Leone)
GPEF GRANT NUMBER TFOB4694 - AFl, : * oL Global Partnership for Grant Agreement (Additional Financing &r CO!
'U)-I9 Response under the Free Education Project) beaween REPUBLIC OI SIERRA LEONE and INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT (acting as Grant Agent for the Global Pertnership for Educetion Fund) GPEF GRANT }IUMBER TFOB4694 GLOBAL PART}IERSIIIP FOR EDUCATION T'I,'NI) GRANTAGREEMENT AGREEMENT dated as of the Signature Date between REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE ("Recipient') and INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT ("Bank"), acting as Grant Agent for the Global Partnership for Education Fund for the purpose ofproviding additional financing for activities related to the Free Education Project ("Original Project").
The Recipient and the Bank hereby agree as follows: Article I Standard Conditions; Deffnitions 1.01.

The Standard Conditions (as defined in the Appendix to this Agreemenr) apply to and form part of tlris Agreernent.

1.02.

Unless the context requires otherwise, the capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the meanings ascribed to them in the Standard Conditions or in the Appendix to this Agreement.
Article II The Project 2.Ot The Recipient declares its commitmeot to the objective ofthe pmject described in Schedule I to tbis Agreement ("Project').

To this eod, the Recipient shall carry out Parts I to 5 and 6 (a){e) ofthe Project through the MBSSE, and cause the hoject lmplementing Entity to carry out Parts 6 (0-G) ofthe Project ("Respective Parts of the Project").

Article III The Grrnt 3.01.


The Brnk agrees to extend to the Recipient a grant in an amouDt not to exceed six million eight hundred fifty thouand United States Dollars (56,850,000) ('Grant') to assist in financing Part 6 ofthe Project.

3.02.

The Recipient may withdraw the proceeds ofthe Grant in accordance with Section III of Schedule 2 to this Agreemeot.

3.03.
3.03.

The Grant is ftrnded out ofthe abovementiorcd trust fund for which the Bank receives periodic contributions from the donor to the trust ftrnd In accordance with Section 3.02 ofthe Standard Conditions, the Bank's payment obligations in conaection with -3- of its acceptance of the evidence required pursuant to Section 4.01 ("Effective Date").
If, before the Effective Date, any event has occurred which would have entided the Bank to suspend the right of the Recipient to make with&awals from the Grant Account if this Agreement had ve, the Bank may postpone the dispatch ofthe notice referred to in this such event (or events) has (or have) ceased to exist.

4.04.

Termination for Failwe to Become Effeclive.


This parties (e0) under it shall terminate if it has not ent days after the date of this Agreement, of the ninety consideration of the reasons for the delay, establishes a later of this Section.

The Bank shall promptly notiff the Recipient ofsuch ail ct'by.

the date .

affF, ni.
; a '3.v Article V Additional Remedies 5.01 The Addilional Events ofsuspension refened to in Section 4.02 ft) ofthe Standard Conditions consist of the following: (a) (b) (c) the Member Country has taken or permitkd to be taken any action which wpuld prevent or interfere with the performance by the Project Irfrplementing Entity of its obligations under the Project Agreement; *ie Project Implementing Entity has failed to perform any obligation under the Project Agreement; IBRD or IDA has declared the Project Implementing Entity ineligible to receive proceeds of any financing made by IBRD or IDA, or otherwise to participate in the preparation or implernentation ofany project financed in whole or in part by IBRD or IDA (including as administrator of fi,rnds plovided by another financier), as a result of: (i) a determination by IBRD oi IDA that the Project Implementing Entity has engaged in fi'audulent, corrupt, coercive or collusive practices in conaection with the use of the proceeds of any financing made by IBRD or IDA; and/or (ii) a declaration by anolher financier that the Project knplementing Entity is ineligible to receive proceeds of financings made by such furancier or otherwise to participate in the preparation or implementation ofany project financed in whole or in part by such financier as a result of a determination by such financier that the Project lmplementing Entity has engaged in fraudulent, comrp!
coercive or collusive practices in connection w;th the use of the proceeds of a financing made by such financier; (d) as a result of events which haye occurred after the date of this Agreemeut, an extraordinary situation has arisen which makes it improbable that the -4- Project Implementing Entity will be able to perform its obligations under the Project Ageement; and (e) the Project Implementing Entity's Memorandum and Articles of Association have been amended, suspended, abrogated, repealed or waived so as to affect materially and adversely, in the opiniou ofthe Bank, the ability of the Projecr Implementing Entiry to perform any of its o$igations under the Project Agreement.
Article VI Recipient's Representetive; Addresses 6.01.

The Recipient's Representative referred to in Section 7.02 of the Standard Conditions is its minister responsible for finance.

6.02.

For purposes of Section 7.01 of the Standard Conditions: (a) the Recipient's address is: Ministry of Finance Treasury Building George Street Freetown, Sierra Leone; and (b) the Recipient's Electsonic Address is: Email: fsecretarv@mof.

gov.sl 6.03.
gov.sl 6.03.

For purposes ofSection 7.01 of the Standard Conditions: (a) the Bank's address is: Intemational Bar* for Reconstnrction and Development 1818 H Steet, N.W.

Washington, D.C.20433 Urjited States of America; and L (b) the Bank's Electonic Address is: Telex: Facsimile: 248423 (MCI) or 64145 (MCr) l-202477-6391 -5- AGREED as of the Signature Date.

REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE By k.e.
bub Jt sr S& Authorized Representative H. E. lacob lusu Saffa )tiame: Title: Minister of Fi nance 26-Feb-20?L Date: INTERNATIONAL BANKFOR RECONSTRUCTION AI\ID DEVELOPMENT (acting as Grant Agent for the Global Partnership for Education Fund) By .-.Jt'------ Authorized Reoresentative cayle Marti n Name: Title: Date: Country Manage r 19- Feb-202 L -6- SCHEDULE I Project Description The objective of the Project is to improve management ofthe education system, teaching practices, and Ieaming conditions.
The Project consists ofthe following parts: Part l: Policv.

Governance.

Accountab ility and System Administratio4 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Support the Recipient's Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MBSSE) to prepare annual and medium-term educalion sector plans and budgeting and support the Directorate ofPlanning and Policy to undertake the necessary annual projections ofinputs to inform the budgeting process.
Ptovision of technical advisory services for conducting a comprehensive Sphool Catchment Area PIan to provide the Recipient with the necessary idformation for a range of interventions including civil works and teacher deployment.
Pfrcvision oftechnical advisory services for tr\e development of education nprms and standards including the distribution of school networks with special focus on maximum distance from home to school, maxinnrm size oI schooUpopulation, minimum package of facilities, minimum standards fdr a child-friendly school, minimum environmental safeguards, criterion and forrnula for determining the extent and natuJe ofgovernment finaocial assistance.
Support MBSSE's program for data collection and use through: (i) provision of technical advisory services to collect Annual School lensus (ASC) data to ensure there is adequate data to support education system planning and management; (ii) building the capacity of the deputy directors, supervisors, and statistical clerks at the district level; (iii) linking td the higher and technical education systerns; and (iv) sn-engthening capacity of the MBSSE to manage the robust data system as part of the larger Education Management Information System @MIS) and to ensure timely and accurate reporting so that the data can be used to inform decision making in the sector.
Strengthen the existing school standards such as teaching practices, school management, school safety, community engagement practices, health promotion, gender inclusion; disability inclusion; and develop and implement ar effective quality assurance ftamework that complies with the best intemational practice itr the extemal evaluation of schools.
(0 (e) (h) (i) (,) (k) -7- Support the Recipient's instiotional and human capacity development, including through: (i) provision oftechnical advisory services to carry out an organizational and management analysis to determine where in the educational system specific responsibilities and authority should be assigned; and (ii) provide tr-aining to govemment officials ar the central and local levels to strergthen their capacity in ensuring quality of education services- Sripport MBSSE's transition to a comprehensive national curriculum inbluding through: (i) provision oftechnical advisory services to conduct a surriculum assessment validated by subject specialists and teachers; and (ii) providing needed training and Operating Costs.
Provision oftechnical advisory services to develop the National l,earning Assessment Framework to facilitate comparisons across districts and by oSrer groupings, thereby enabling education policy makers to identiry arbas and groups that are tagging behind in terms of achievement and to design the appropriate interventions and srategies including providing the necessary training.
Strengthening the capacity of WAEC to conduct analyses of examination repuls to idenfifu response pattems and detect underlying student stiengths and weaknesses.
Cirry out activities to promote gender equality and inclusive education in collaboration with the Ministries, Depafirents and Agencies including tbough: (i) provision of training to school administrative staff and staff at the district level on gender issues (including discrimination) as well as prevention and response to sexual aud gender based violence (SGBV); (ii) establishing and strengthenilg a mechanism for reporting sexual and gqnder based violence at the cotrununity level; (iii) developing a platform fqi effective response on SGBV health related issus5, inq[uding stiengthening key support and health services with a stong referral mbchanism; and (iv) providing both boys and girls sexual and reproductive health education and a mentoring program.
Carry out activities to promote the Recipient's inclusive education system includhg: (i) developing and implernenting an inclusive education policy and progam; (ii) implementing a regular monitoring system on student attendance and leaming including children with various disabilities; (iii) carrying out an outreach on the capacities and rights ofpersons with disabilities; (iv) developing and implementing training for teachers aod school heads and administrators in promoting an inclusive education environment; and (v) designating ao inclusion champiorr in each school receiving in-service teacher training.
-8- Part 2: Teacher Manaeement and Professional Develooment (a) Provide support to the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) to develop and implement a comprehensive and integrated teaeher management information system to provide information for teacher workforce planning and management.
I (b) Sirpport teacher professional development, including through: (l) providing appropriate digital devises to primary and jurrior secondary school head teachers and TSC district offices; (ii) providing technical assistance to conduct a feasibility study on the use of information and communication technology to support cluster and school based continuous professional development; and (iii) developing a continuous professional development program for both primary and junior secondary school teachers.
Part 3: School Lpvel Education Develooment (a) Provide Performance-based School Grants to Targeted Primary Schools to ilnprove teaching and learning outcomes.

(b) (c) *ovide School Maintenance/Renovation Grants to schools to carry out qiinor maintenance and renovation works to Targeted Primary Schools.
Support the construction and fumishing of new classrooms to meet the infrastructure needs ofschools as identified in the School Catchrnent Area Plan, including girls' boarding schools and homes and water and sanitation hygiene facilities.

Pert 4: Proiect Manapemenl Coordination and Monitorinp and EvalLqAEa!
Support tl.re: (a) impiementation, coordination and supervision ofProject activities, includingi inter alta, outreach, conducting financial audits, data collection and monitorirlg and evaluation; (b) the establishment ofan online data/resource sharing platform to support knorvledge generation and dissemination of Project supported activities; and (c) the necessary Operating Costs.
Part5:@ Provision ofsupport to respond to an Eligible Emergency including: (a) designing and carrying out the necessary sector inveshnerts; and (b) providing supervision for carrying out the investrnents including ury necessaqr rehabilitatron works.
9 Part 6: COVID-I9 ResDonse (a) o) (c) (d) (e) (i) Develop a communicatioru outreach strategy on the Recipient's COVID-19 Education Emergenry Response Plan; (ii) support the extension ofcoverage ofthe MBSSE's radio station to disticts with poor receptivity and equip regional radio stations with the capacity to manage and implement education progran ming; and (iii) establish an online data./resource sharing platform for dissemination of knowledge and effective irformation-sharing.
Support continuous distance learning under the COVID-I9 Education Emergency Response Plan, including, inler alia: (i) the development and deployment of accessible and inclusive tutorials for basic education students; and (ii) support to the existing nationwide radio teaching program and other education programming and distamce leaming programs.
Provision of in-sewice training for basic education teachers to improve teachers' digital literacy, including, inter alia: (i) facilitation of distance learning; (ii) use of online tools and on-line leaming platforms; (iii) monitoring students' leaming; and (iv) provision of training for teachers to support crisis management, health preventior/promotion, psychosocial wellbeing and child wellbeing in response to covlD-19.
Support sohool reopening under the COVID-I9 Education Emergency Response Plan, throlrgb inter alia: (i) supporting the process of implementing school safety protocols including promoting hygienic practices by school children and staff; (ii) (A) supporting an assessment of the Recipient's basic education schools to appraise the system'6 readiness for school safety; (B) supplyrng basic education schools with water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies includitg thermometers, face masks, buckets and soap; and (C) supporting the process of cleaning and disinfecting school building premises and refirbishing school facilities as needed; (iii) designing and collaborating with partners on implementing community outreach campaigns to support girls, vulnerable chil&en and other students at risk of dropping out; and (iv) supporting: (A) the Recipient's MBSSE in monitoring the back to school situation (&opouts, gender-based violence, pregnancy, learning); and (B) the provision of psychosocial support to childreu and teachers in basic education.
Support the effective operations, planning and policy during and after the COVID- 19 crisis, tkough izter a/ia: (i) the development of an over arching policy comprising guidarre, protocols and standard operating procedures, delivery standards and redrersal mechanism; (ii) the development of a mechanism to ensure is maintained in the developrnent of critical policies; that commrmity-engagement and (iii) the evaluation of the Recipient's COVID-I9 Education Emergency Response initiatives.
- l0- (f) (c) (h) Suppon increased access to COVID-I9 and education response messaging in PIE Target Schools in 16 districts.
throvgh inter alia: (i) dissemination of social and behivior change communication messaging in age-appropriate, gender-sensitive, accessible formats for people with different types of impairment; (ii) promotion of community mobilization on the emergency education responSe (distance learning and schooi reopening); and (iii) working with community radio nerworks on airing radio/drama piograms on the Protection of children, especially girls and children with disabilities, COVID-I9 prevention messages, and the education sector's response.
Support distance leaming oppomrnities in PIE Target Schools in 16 districts' thtoiugh inter alia: (i) the establishment and support of community leaming circles' adapted to the COVID-I9 context; (ii) training teachers (gender and disability inclusive) to support community leaming circles and inclusiveness; (iii) provision of solar radios or relevant devices for use by community leaming circles; (iv) provision of inclusive education materialsi and (v) implementation of child- friendly feedback mechanisms to monitor the content, quality, and outcomes ofthe radio teaching programs.
Support schools ensure children's reh[n to safe, gender-sensitive, and inclusive leaming in PIE Tar8et Schools in l6 districts, through inter aliai (i) rolling out the school safety protocol to schools; (ii) rolling out implementation of community outreach to encourage marginalized children to renrm to school, \vith a specific focus on messaging for girls and children with disabilities, through multiple channels; (iii) building capacity of stakeholders on the provision of psychosocial support to children and teachers in collaboration with the Recipient and schools, (iv) tracking student attendance after school reopening; and (v) provision ofback- to-school incentives including through provision of leaming materials or assistive devices to identified wlnerable children.
-il- SCHEDULE 2 Project Erecution Section I. Institutlon.l rnd Other Arrrnsements A. I .
InstitutionalArrrngements Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Educalion The Recipienl shall: (a) implement the Project (including coordination and oversight) through the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) with support from the Participating Agencies; and (b) maintain, at all times during the implementalion ofthe hoject, the MBSSE and Participating Agencies, with frrnctions, staffing and resources satisfactory io thi Bank for the purpose of ensuring overall coordination, implemenution and communication of hoject activities and results' 2.
The Free Education Proiecl Secretariat (a) The Recipient shall maintain throughout the implementation .of the Project, the Free Education Project Secretariat (FEPS)' with adequate ,"r6*"er, key staff including an environmental sp€cialist' a social development specialist, a monitoring and evaluation specialist' a procurement specialist and a financial Management specialist' all with qualifications, skills and terms of reference satisfactory to the Bank; rlsponsible for the monitoring and evaluation ofthe progress ofthe Project and the preparation of Project Reports, all in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and of the PIM' O) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 2(a) above, the FEPS shall assume not later than June 30' 2021, the fiduciary management responsibility ofthe hoject (except for the Project Implanenting Entity's Respective P"tt of Or" nroject; in accordance with the provisions of this Ageement and the PIM.
3 Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) Free Education Project Steeing Committee The Recipient shall: (a) maintain throughout implementation of the Project,.
an MDTF Free Education Projit Steering Committee ("MDTFSC")' with a composition' mandate, terms of rcferenie and resources satisfactory to the Bank; -12- o) (c) without limitation upon the generality of the foregoing, the MDTFSC shall be co-chaired by the Minister of MBSSE or Minister of Finance (MoF) or their designees, and a representative of the Bank, and shall comprise ol inler alia, a representative from MBSSE, MoF, TSC, Bank and fiom each of the contributing Co-fi nanciers; and the MDTFSC shall meet at least biannually and shall be responsible for providing oversight on Project implementation, including, inter alia: (i) providing strategic and policy guidance on matters relating to education ieforms; (ii) facilitating coordination of hoject activities and ensuring dynergies with other projects and programs in the sector, and making recommendations for removal of any obstacles to the irrrplementation of the Project; and (iii) reviewing progress made towards achieving the Project's objectives.
4 Project fiduciary Management (tnit (a) (b) the Recipient shall maintain not later than June 30,2021, a Project fiduciary management unit ("Project Fiduciary Management Uuit" or 'irnrrlul within the MoF with functions, staffing and resources datisfactory to the Bank for managing the frduciary aspects of the Project.
I Without limitation on the foregoing the PFMU shall not later than June 10,2021, be responsible for the procurement, financial management, and iptemal audit under the Projecq including: (i) preparing and reviewing frocurement plans and procuring ofgoods.
works and consultants services do be financed out of the Financing in accordance wi"h the provisions of tiis Agreement; (ii) maintaining a financial management system and preparing financial statements in accordance with consistendy applied accounting standards acceptable to the Bank, both ilr a manner adequate reflect the operations, resowces and expenditures related to the Project; i) having such financial statements audited by independent auditors le to the Bank, in accordsnce with consistently applied auditing tandards acceptable to the Banh and promptly firnish the statements as o audited to the Recipient and the Bank; and (iv) preparing and s6mitting withdrawal application to the Bank and operating the designated account for the Project.
5.

P roj ect Imp lementing Entity The Recipient shall cause the Project Implementing Entity to: (i) carry out the implementation of its Respective Parts of the Project, in accordance with this Agreement, the Proj ect Agreement and the Project Implementation Manual and the Subsidiary Agreement; and (ii) ensure that the Project Implernenting Entity has the necessary resources to carry out its Respective Parts of the Project.

-13- 6.
Subsidiary Agreement (a) To facilitate the carrying out of the Project Implementing Entity's Respective Parts ofthe Project, the Recipient shall enter into a subsidiary agreement ("Subsidiary Ageement") between the Recipient and the P-roject Implementing Entity, under terms and conditions approved by the Bank, which shall include the following provisions: (i) the obligation ofthe Recipient to: (A) make the funds under Category 2 available to the Project lmplementing Entity in the form of a non-rcimbursable grant; and (B) take all actions necessary to permit th€ Project lmplementing Entity to carry out the Projecl Implementing Entity's Respective Pan of the Project and ensure the achievement ofthe objective thereof; (ii) the obligation ofthe Project Implementing Entity to: (A) (B) (c) carry out its Respective Parts ofthe Project in accordance wi& this Agreement, the Project Agreement, the Subsidiary Agreemen!
the Project lmplementation Manual, the Anti{oruption Guidelines, the Procuement Regulations, the Annual Work Plaas and Budgets, and the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan; promptly refund to the Bank any proceeds ftom the Grant not usea for purposes of carrying olrt the Project lmplementing Entity's Respective Pans of the Project or foiachieving the objective thereof, or otherwise utilized in a rnanner inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement or the Project Agreement; ar the request of the Recipient or the Bank exchange views with the Recipient and the Bank with regard to the progress of implementation of the Project Implementing Entity's Respective Part of the Project and the achievement of the objective thereof, and the Project lmplementing Entity's performance of its obligations under the Project hgre"-ent, the Subsidiary Agreement, the Project Imlplementation Manual, the Annual Work Plans and Budgets, the Anti{omrption Guidelines, the Procurement -14- Regulations, and the Envimnmental and Social Commitment Plan; and (D) promptly inform the Recipient of any condition which interfsres or threatens to interfere wifi the implemantahon of the Project Implernenting Entity's Respective Part of the Pro-iect and the achievernent ofthe objective there{f. (iiD a provision stipulating that, in case of conflict between any of the provisions contained in the Subsidiary Agreernent or the hoject Implementation Manual, on one hand, and those set forth in this Agreement and the Project Agreement, on the other hand, fte provisions of this Agreement and the Project Agreement shall prevail.
(b) The Recipient shall exercise its rights and carry out its obligations under the Subsidiary Agreement in such mannq as to protect the interests ofthe Recipient and the Bank and to accomplish the purposes of the Grant.

Except as the Bank shall otherwise agree, the Recipient shall not assign, amend, abrogate or waive the Subsidiary Agreement or any of its provisions.
B, Other Arrangements l. Project Implementation Manual (PIM) (a) To facilitate efficient implementatiotr of the Project, the Recipient shall, c,irry out the Project and cause the hoject lmplementing Entity to carry orit is Respective Part of tbe Project in accordance with the updated Project implementation manual (Project Implementaticn Manual) containing detailed guidelines with respect to: (i) a detailed description of Project activities; (ii) the specific roles and responsibilities ofParticipating Agencies and the Project Implementing Entity with respect to its coordination with the NGO Consortium members participating in the Project and the arratrgements for ensuring coordination arnong them; (iii) anangonents on fiduciary matters, including finansial matragement and procuement; (iv) institutional adrninistration cocrdination and day to day execution of Project activities; (v) monitoring and evaluation; (vi) reporting; (vii) inforrnation, education and communication of Project activities; (viii) social and environmental safeguards; (ix) comrption and fraud mitigation mezuurcs; (x) a grievance redress nrechanism, (xi) personal data collection and processing in accordaoce with good intemational practice, roles and responsibilities for Project implementation, (xii) intellectual propeay rights as they relale to materials produced by the Project Implementing Entity; and (xiii) such other - 15 - technical and organizational arrangements and procedures.
as-shall be implemintation of the Project in form and r"qrii"J f* the substance satisfactory to the Bank.

-effective (b) In case of any conflict between the provisions of th€ PIM and the provisions of ihis Agreemenr, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail. )
School Grants (a) In implementing Part 3(a) and (b) of the Project, the Recipient through MBSSE shall: (i) make School Grants under the Project, pursuant to an agreement (School Granr Agreement) with an etigible school's respective ichool Managernent Committee to implement their respectiv€ Sub-projects as set forth in the School Improvement Plan on terms and ionditions approved by the Bank and set forth in the School Maintenanc€/Renovation Crants Manual and the Performance- based Financing Manual' (b) The Recipient, through MBSSE' in providing the School Grants, shall obtain rigtrs adequarc to protect its interesls and those of the Bank' including the right to: (i) (il) suspend or terminate the nght of the School the proceeds of the School Grants' Management Committee to us€ or obtiin a refund of all or any part of the amount ofthe School Grant then withdrawn, upon the School Managemenl Committee's failure to perform any of its obligations under the School Grant Agreement; -respe-ctive require a School Management Cor[nittee to: (A).
carry out its Sul-projects with due diligence and efficiency and in accordance with' sound technical, economic, financial, managerial' environmental and social standards and practices satisfactory to the Banlq including in accordanc€ $'ith the provisions ofthe Anti- Comrption Guideli-ines applicable to recipients of IBRD- loan and IDA credit and grani proceeds other than the Recipient; is) prouile, pto.pily as needed, the resources rcquired for the in pu.pot"; *a (C) L"ooa-."
with thi Performanci Based Financing Maaual and the provisions of this Aglecment; procure the goods, works and -services' - -16- (iiD maintain policies and procedures adequate to enable it to monitor and evaluate in accordance with indicatorc acceptable to the Bank, the progress of the Sub-projects and the achievernent of their obj ectives; (iv) (v) maintain a financial management system and prepare financial statements in accordance with consistently applied accounting standards acceptable to the Bank, both in a manner adequate to reflect the operations, resources and expenditures related to the Sub-proj ecs; at the Bank's or rhe Recipient's request, have such financial statements audited by independent auditors acccptable to the Bank, in accordance with consistently applied auditing standards acceptable to the Bank, and promptly furnish the statements as so audited to the Recipient and the Bank; (vr) enable the Recipient and the Bank to inspect the Sub-projects, its operation and any relevant records and documents; and i) prepare and fumish to the Recipient and the Bank all such information as the Recipient or the Bank shall reasonably request relating to the foregoing.
{he Recipient, through MBSSE, shall exercise its rights undereach School Grant Agreement in such mamer as to protect the interests of the Recipient aad the Bank and to accomplish the purposes ofthe Grant.

Except as the Bank shall otherwrse agree, the Recipient shall not assigu, amend, abrogate or waive any School Grant Agreement or any of its provisions.

ln case of any inconsistency between the School Grant Ageement and this {8t""*"rt, this Agreement shall prevail.
I ilork Plan and Budget The Recipient shall prepare and firmish to the Bank Dot later than November 30 of each Fiscal Year during the implementation of the Project, a work plan and budget containing all activities proposed to be included in the Project during the following Fiscal Year, and a proposed financing plan for expenditures required for such actMties, setting forth the proposed amounts and sources offinancing.
The Recipient shall afford the Bank a reasonable opportunity to exchange views with the Recipient on each such proposed work plan and budget and thereafter ensure that the Project is implemented with due diligence during (c) (d) 3 n nu4 (a) (b) C I -17 - said following Fiscal Year in accordance with such work Plan and budget as shall havi been approved by the Bank ("Annual Work Plan and Budget").
(c) The Recipient shall not make or allow to be made any material change to the approved Annual Wort Plan and Budget without prior approval in writing by the Bank.
Implementation Arrrngements under Pert 5 of the ProJect (Contingency for Emergency Response) In order to ensure the proper implementation of Part 5 of the Project after the occurrence ofan Eligible Emergency, and prior to the carrying out ofany activities under said Part ofthe Project, the Recipient shall take the following measures: (a) (b) (c) (d) determine that an Eligible Emergency has occurred, and the Bank has agreed with said determination; fumish to the Bank a list ofproposed investments and a request to finance the Eligible Expenditures under Category (4) of the Original Agreement in order to respond to said Eligible Emergency; cause the PIM to be updated and adopted as needed, defining the scope of activities, implementation arrangements, procurement and disbursement arrangements under Part 5 of the Project; and prepare, disclose and consult or cause to be prepard disclosed and consuttea on all Safeguards Instrumetrts required for said activities, in accordance u/ith the provisions of Section l.D of Schedule 2 to this Agreement; all under tLrms and in a manner satisfactory to lhe Bank' D. Environmentrl rnd Social Strndcrds I 2 The Recipient shall, and shall cause the Project Implementing Entity to, engure thal trc fro;ect is carried out in accordance u.ith the Environmental and Social Standards, in a manner acceptable to the Bank.
Without limitation upon paragraph I above, the Recipient shall, and shall cause the Project Imptementing fniity to, ensue that the Project is implemented in ,""o.d"o"" witir the Envimnmental and Social Commitment Plan ("ESCF')' in a rnanner acceptable to the Bank.

To this en4 the Recipient shall, and shall cause the Project Implementing Enlity to, ensure thar: (a) the measures and actions specified in the ESCP are implemented with due diligence and e{Iiciency, and provided in the ESCP; 3.

4.
4.

5 - 18 - (b) (c) (d) sufficient funds are available to cover the costs of implementing the ESCP; policies and procedures are maintained, and qualified and experienced staffin adequate numbers are retained to implement the ESCP, as provided in the ESCPT and the ESCP, or any provision thereof, is not amended, repealed, suspended or waived, except as the Bank shall otherwise agree in writing, as specified in the ESCP, and ensure that the revised ESCP is disclosed promptly thereafter.
Without limitation upon the provisions of paragraph 2 above, if 60 days prior o the Closing Date, the Bank determines that there are measures and actions specified in the ESCP which will not be completed by the Closing Date, the Recipient shall: (a) not later than thirty (30) days before the Closing Date, prspare and present to the Bank, an action plan satisfactory to the Bank on the outstanding mensures and actions, including a timetable and budget allocation for such mea.surcs and actions (which action plan shall deemed to be considered an amendment of ttre ESCP); and (b) thereaffer, carry out said action plan in accordance with its terms and in a manner acceptable to the Bank.
In case of any inconsistencies between the ESCP and the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions ofthis Agreement shall prevail.
The Recipient shall, and shall cause the Project Implementing Entity to, ensure that: (a) (b) all measures Decessary are taken to collect, compile, and fumish to the Bank through regular reports, with the frequency specified in the ESCP, and promptly in a separate report or reports, if so requested by the Bank, information on the status of compliance with the ESCP and the environmental and social instruments referred to therein, all such reports in form and substance acceptable to the Bank, setting out, intel alia: (i) the status of implementation of the ESCP; (ii) conditions, if aly, which interfere or threaten to interfere with the implementation ofthe ESCP; and (iii) corrective and preventive measures taken or required to be taken to address such conditions; and the Bank is promptly notified of any incident or accident related to or having an impact on the Project which has, or is likely to have, a significant adverse effect on the environment, the affected communiiies, the public or workers, in accordance with the ESCP, the environmental urd social instruments referenced therein and the Environmental and Social Standards.
-19- 6 7 The Recipient shail, and shall cause the Project Implementing Entity to, establish, publicize, maintain and operate an accessible grievance mechanism, to receive and facilitate resolution ofconcerns and grievances ofProject-affected people, and take all measures necessary and appropriate to resolve, or facilitate the resolution of, such concems and grievances, in a manner acceptable to the Bank.
The Recipient shall, and shall cause the Project Implementing Entity to, ensute that all bidding documents and contracts for civil works under the Project include the obligation of contractors, subcontractors and supervising entities to: (a) comply with the relevant aspects of ESCP and the environmental and social instruments refened to therein; and (b) adopt and enforce codes of conduct that should be provided to and signed by all workers, detailing measures to address environmental, social, health and safety risks, and the risks of sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and violence against children, all as applicable to such civil work commissioned or carried out pursuant to said contracts.
Section II.

A, Documents; Recordr Proiect Monitorins.
Reoortlnp and Evaluation In addition, and without limitation to the obligations set forth in Section 2.05 of the Standard Conditions, the Recipient shall ensure that: (a) all rccords evidencing expenditures under the Project are retained for seven years and six months after the Closing Date, such records to include: (i) this Agreement, all addenda thereof, and any amendments thereto; (ii) the Recipient's financial and narrative progress reports submitted to the Bank; (iii) the Recipient's financial information related to the Grant, inctuding audit reports, invoices and payroll records; (iv) the Recipient's implementation documentation (including sub-agreements, procurement files, contracts, purchase orders); and (v) the corresponding supporting evidence referred to in Section 3.04 ofthe Standard Conditions; and (b) the representatives of the Bank are: (i) able to examine all records referred to above in paragraph (a); (ii) provided all such information conceming such rccords as they may from time to time reasonably requesl; and (iii) able to disclose such records and information to the Dono(s).
B.

ProJect Reports The Recipient shall ensure that each Project Report is furnished to the Bank nol later thsn one month after the end ofeach calendar semester, covering the calendar semester.

-20 - Section [II.
Withdrawal of Grant Proce€ds A. I General The Recipient may withdraw the proceeds of the Grant in accordance with *re provisions of: (a) Article ITI of the Standard Conditions; and (b) this Section; to finance Eligible Expenditures in the amount allocated and, if applicable, up to the percentage set forth agaiNt each Category of the following table: Category (l) Goods, works, non-consulting services, consulting services, Training and Operating Costs under Part 6 (a)-(e) of the Project (2) Goods, works, non<onsulting services, consulting services, Training and Operating Costs under Part 6 (f){h) ofthe Project Amount of the Grant Alloceted (expressed in USD) Percentage of Expenditures to be Financed (lnclusive of Taxes) 3,350,000 lo00/o 3,500,000 100% TOTAL AMOUNT 6,850,000 B. Withdrewal Conditions; Withdrawal Period I 2 Notwithstanding the provisions of Part A of this Section no withdrawal shall be made for payments made prior to the Signature Date.
The Closing Date is January 31,2022.

-2t - APPENDIX Definitions l. 2.

3 4.

5 6 7 8 9 l0 ll.

t2.

"Annual School Census" means a school census conducted annually by MBSSE.

"Annual Work Plan and Budget" means each annual work plan, together with the related budget, for the Project approved by the Bank and referred to in Section I.8.3 of Schedule 2 to this Agreement.
"Anti{omrption Guidelines" means, for purposes of paragraph 5 of the Appendix to the General Conditions, the "Guidelines on Preventing and Combating Fraud and Comrption in Projects Financed by IBRD Loans and IDA Credits and Grants", dated October I 5, 2006, and revised in January 201 l, and as of July l, 201 6.

"Category" means a category set forth in the table in Section III.A of Schedule 2 to this Agreement.

"Concern Worldwide" means a company registered in lreland as limited by Suaranree (No.
39647) and as a charity (No.

20009090) or iB successor.

"COVID-I9" means the coronavirus disease caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2).

'COVID-|9 Education Emergency Response Plan" means the COVID-|9 education emergency plan developed by the MBSSE.

"Directorate of Planning and Policy" means the directorate responsible for policy and planning within MBSSE.
"Education Management lnformation System" or "EMIS" means an information technology-based system for the collection, processing, maintenance and dissemination of education data and information.

"Eligible Emergency' means a natural or man-made crisis or disaster that has caused, or is likely to imminently cause, a major adverse impact in the Recipient's territory, as will be frrther defrned in the updated PIM.

"Emergency Expenditures" means the Eligible Expenditures under Category (4) of the Project.
"Environmental and Social Commitment Plan" or "ESCP" means the environmental and social commitment plan for the Project, dated December 16, 2020, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions thereof, which sets out the material measures and actions that the itecipient shall carry out or cause to be carried out to addrcss the potential environmental and social nsks and impacts ofthe Prqect, including the timeframes of the actions and measures, institutional, staltng, training, monitoring and reporting arrangements, and any environmental and social instruments to be prepared thereunder.
"Environmental and Social Standards" or "ESSs" means, collectively: (i) "Environmental and Social Standard l: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts"; (ii) "Environmental and Social Standard 2: Labor and Working Conditions"; (iii) "Environmental and Social Standard 3: Resource Efliciency and Pollution Prevention and Management"; (iv) "Environmental and Social Standard 4: Community Heahh and Safety"; (v) "Environmental and Social Standard 5: Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement"; (vi) "Environmental and Social Standard 6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainabte Management of Living Natural Resources"; 1vii1 "Environmental and Social Standard 7: Indigenous Peoples/Sub- Saharan Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities"; (viii) "Environmental and Social Standard E: Culhual Heritage"; (ix) "Environmental and Social Standard 9: Financial Intermediaries"; and (x) "Environmental and Social Standard l0: Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure"i effective on October l, 2018, as published by the Bank' "Focus 1000" means a non-governmental organization in the Recipient's territory, registered with MoPED and responsible for facilitaling the community to prepare un-d o*n ptogt"-s that ensure children and young people their full potential, or its successor.
"FoRUT" or "Foundation for Rural Urban Transformation" means a non- government organization in the Recipient's territory, regi-stered with MoPED and iesponsible for contributing to the social mobilization of the poor and oppressed to have better living conditions and basic human rights' or its successor' "Free Education Project Secretariat" or "FEPS" means the unit established by the Recipient for purpoies of Project implementation and coordination, and to be maintained as provided for in Section I.A'2 of Schedule 2 to this Agreement' "Humanity and Inclusion/Handicap Intemational" means a not for profit organisation set up under the non-profit Frcnch law dated July-I, l90l Loi du ler luitet tSOt relative au contrat d'aisociation, listed in the SIRENE register under the number 519 655 997, or its successor' *MBSSE- means the Recipient's Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education or its successor.
..MDTFFreeEducationProjectSteeringComminee''meansthecommitteesetup by the Recipient with a comPosition, mandate' terms of reference and resources t3.

14 t5.

t6.

17. l8 t9.

-23 - satisfactory to the Bank and responsible for providing oversight on project implementation as referred to in Section I.A.3 of Schedule 2 to this Agreement.

"MoPED" means the Recipient's Ministry of Planning and Economie Developmenl or its successor.
"National Leaming Assessment Framework" means MBSSE's framework for guiding the assessment of the leaming outcomes of students.

"NGO Consortium" means a group of non-govemmental organizations comprising ofFocus 1000, Concern Worldwide, Seeet Child of Sierra Leone, Humanity and Inclusion operating as Handicap Intemational, FoRUT and Plan Intemational Sierra Leone working with the Project Implementing Entity to implement its Respective Part of the Project.
"Operating Costs" means the incremental expenses incured ort accomt ofProject implemeniation, based on the Annual Work Ptan and Budget approved by the Bank pu$uant to the provisions of Section LB.3 of Schedule 2 to this Agreement, and consisting of expenditures for office supplies, vehicle operation and maintenance, maint€nance of equipmeng communication and insurance costs, office administr{tion costs, utilities, rental, consumables, accommodation, travel and per diem, andlsalaries of confractual stafi but excluding the salaries ofthe Recipient's civil servite, meeting and sitting allowances and honoraria to said staff; and other reasonabld expenditures directly associated with implementation of the Project astivities.
"Original Agreemenf' means the financing agreement entered into between the Recipient aod the Association, dated July 13,2020.

"Original Project" means the project activities described in Schedule I to the Original Agreement.

"Participating Agencies" means MBSSE, TSC, WAEC, and Distrifi Education Offices and other agencies that may be agreed with the Bank.

"Performance-based Financing Manual" means the Recipient's matrual ta guide administration of Performance-Based School Grants.
"Performance-based School Crant" means a grant made or proposed to be made out ofthe proceeds ofthe financing by MBSSE to Targeted Primary Schools and referred to in Part 3(a) ofthe Project.

"Personal Data" means any information relating to an identified or identifiable individual.

An identifrable individual is one who can bc identified by reasonable means, directly or indirectly, by reference to an attribute or combinatron of 20 21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.


24- 30 3l 32. attributes within the data, or combination of the data with other available information.

Attributes that car be used to identif an identifiable individual include, but are not limited to, name, identification number, location data, online identifier.

metadata and factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity ofan individual.
"Plan Intemational Sierra Leone" means a development and humanitarian organization in the Recipient's territory, registered with MoPED and responsible for advancing children's rights and equality for girls, or its successor.

"Project Fiduciary Management Unit" or "PFMU" means the unit referred to in Section I.A.4 of Schedule 2 to this Agreement.
"Project Implementation Manual" or "PIM" means the Recipient's manual dated December 24, 2019, and referred to in Section LB.l of Schedule 2 to this Agreement, as said manual may be amended from time to time by agreement with the Bank.
"Project Implementing Entity" means Save The Children Fund, a company rcgistered in England and Wales as limited by guarantee ( I 78159); and registered as a charity in England and Wales (213E90) and Scotland (SC039570), whose registered office is at I St John's [ane, London ECIM 4AR, United Kingdom.

34.

"PIE Target Schools" means the schools which benefit from intewentions provided by the Project lmplementing Entity under its Respective Pan of the Project.

35 36 5t 38.

39.
35 36 5t 38.

39.

"Rcspective Parts ofthe Project" means, with respect to the Recipient through the MBSSE: Parts I to 5; 6 (aXe) of the Project, and with respect to th€ Project lmplementing Entity, Parts 6 (0{h) of the hoject.

"school Catchment Area Plan" means a plan to be developed by the Recipient to provide the evidence base for long-term planning and, guide a range of interventions including civil works and teacher deployment.
"school Grant Agreement" means an agreement ertered into, or to be entered into, between MBSSE and the School Management Committee for the purpose of extending a Grant and referred to in Section 1.8.2(a) of Schedule 2 to this Agreemenl.

"school Grants" means the Performance-based School Grants and School Maintenance/Renovation Grants.

"school Improvement Plan" means a plan to be prepared by the schools to outline activities for improving teaching and leaming.

-25 - 40 4l 43.

44 45.

46 47 48.

49.


"School Maintenance/Renovation Grant" means a grant made or proposed to be made by MBSSE to Targeted Primary Schools and referred to in Pan 3ft) of the Project.

"School \4aintenance/Renovation Grant Manual" means the Recipient's manual to guide a&hinistration of School Maintenance/Renovation Grants.

"School Management Committee" means a committee in each school for purposes of implementing school level Project activities.
"Signature Date" means the later of the two dates on which the Recipient and the Bank signed this Agreement and such definition applies to all references to "the date ofthe Grant Agreement" in the Standard Conditions.

"Sheet Child of Sierra Leone" means a non-governmental organizaiion in the Recipient's territory, registered with MoPED and working on education, child protection and livelihoods, or its successor.
"Subsidiary Agreement" means the agreement referred to in Section LA.6 of Schedule 2 to this Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time with the prior written agreement of the Bank.

"Standard Conditions" means the "Internattonal Bank for Reconskuction and Development and lntemational Development Association Standard Conditions for Grant Financing Made by the Bank out of Trust Funds", dated February 25, 2019.
"Sub-Project" means a sub-project included in a School Improvement Plan and to be financed from the proceeds ofthe School Grants under Parts 3(a) and 3@) of the Project.

"Targeted Primary Schools" means schools to which, or for whose benefit a Performance-Based School Grant or a School Maintenance/Renovation Grant is made or proposed to be made for delivery of education services/outcomes or to carry out maintenance/renovation wod<s.
"Training' means the taining provided under the Project, includiag seminars, workshops, knowledge sharing activities and study tours, and covers the following costs assbciated with such activity (other than those for consultants' servicas) travel and subsistence expenditures and other travel-related ailcwances fot training participants such as per diems and reasonable accommodation costs, costs associated with securing the services of trainers, rental of training facilities, preparation and reproduction oftraining materials, and other costs directly related to training preparation and implementation, a1l based on periodic budgets acceptable to the Bark.
-26 - 50 5l "TSC" means the Teaching Service Commission established and operating pursuant to the Sierra Leone Teaching Service Commission Act, Number I of 201 l; or its successor.

'WAEC" means the Wesl African Examination Council.