Japan pledges Rs 1b to improve basic education

KATHMANDU, Feb 24: Japan has pledged grant assistance of Japanese Yen 930 million (about Rs 1 billion) to Nepal for implementing Project for Basic Education Improvement in support of the School Sector Reform Program (SSRP), particularly for improving basic education.



The two sides signed and exchanged an agreement to this effect in the capital on Friday. [break]



The project extended on the day includes both grant and technical assistance.



The grant assistance will be used in constructing 700 classrooms, 4,200 sets of desks and benches and 4,000 round tables for lower grades in schools in eight districts, reads a press release issued by the Embassy of Japan. The eight districts include Sunsari, Sarlahi, Dhading, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Nawalparasi, Banke and Kailali.



The technical assistance, on the other hand, will go for activities like capacity development of school management committees´ members, parents-teachers association members, education administrators and teachers.



The new project will support the SSRP by improving learning environment and expanding access to basic education, reads a statement of Ministry of Finance.



Finance Secretary Krishna Hari Baskota and Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Kuino Takahashi and Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Mitsuyoshi Kawasaki signed the agreements on behalf of respective government and JICA respectively.

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