Rs 308m Japanese grant for school sector

Published On: October 6, 2018 06:30 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Oct 6: Japan government has extended a grant assistance of Rs 308 million to Nepal for the School Sector Development Program (SSDP).

Ambassador of Japan to Nepal Masamichi Saigo and Joint Secretary of the International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division of the Ministry of Finance Shreekrishna Nepal signed notes to this effect at the Ministry of Finance on Friday.

Another set of grant agreements for implementing the program were signed by Chief Representative of JICA Nepal Jun Sakuma and Joint Secretary Nepal, according to the press statement issued by the Embassy of Japan in Nepal.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Saigo said that education is an investment in human capital and the foundation of a nation's sustainable social and economic development. He added that education can help eradicate poverty and contribute toward nation-building and that the assistance intends to support Nepal's poverty reduction efforts through exclusively executing the SSDP.

The ambassador said that Japan is confident in the strong commitment Nepal has for implementing the SSDP for assuring access to quality education for all children especially in the important transitional period of federal system and added that proper implementation can enable Nepal to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SSDP implementation was started in 2016 which aims to consolidate gains from previous reform programs and continue crucial reforms needed in the school education sector through 'sector-wide approach' modality. In addition to this support, Japan has been assisting Nepal through various programs in education to support Nepal's efforts to attain sustainable socio-economic growth.