October 1, 2003
 Grant Aid for the Construction of Primary Schools
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The Government of Japan has decided to extend a grant assistance of six hundred and eighty three million yen ( 683,000,000), equivalent to approximately four hundred fifty-eight million, two hundred and ninety-three thousand Nepalese rupees (NRs.458,293,000), in Japan's FY 2003, to His Majesty's Government of Nepal for the implementation of the Project for Construction of Primary Schools in support of Education for All.
Notes to this effect were signed and exchanged today between Mr. Kazumi SUZUKI, Charge d'Affaires a.i. of Japan to the Kingdom of Nepal, and Mr. Bhanu Prasad Acharya, Secretary, Ministry of Finance, on behalf of their respective Governments.
The grant will be utilized for the procurement of necessary materials for the construction of 732 classrooms, 8 resource center buildings and 232 toilets, installation of 135 water supply units in Bardiya, Sindhupalchowk, Dang, Kailali, Kapilbastu and Nuwakot districts. In addition, 12,954 sets of furniture for classrooms and 8 sets of furniture for resource center buildings will also be procured. The project aims at improving the access to primary schools and quality of the basic and primary education in the target districts through the improved physical facilities. The overall goal of the project is to contribute to the realization of the goal of Education for All by 2015 set out by His Majesty's Government of Nepal.
In the past, the Government of Japan provided grant aid for the implementation of Basic and Primary Education Program (BPEP) I and II of His Majesty's Government of Nepal. Under BPEP I, a total of 2,958 classrooms, 41 resource center buildings, 200 toilet blocks and other facilities were constructed in twelve (12) target districts enabling approximately 133,000 children to pursue their primary level education. Similarly, under BPEP II, a total of 2,540 classrooms, 43 resource center buildings, 817 toilet blocks and other necessary facilities were constructed in thirteen (13) target districts. In total, 5,498 classrooms were constructed under BPEP I & II with the Japanese assistance alone. BPEP I & II have a supplementary role in contributing to the development of basic and primary education in Nepal by successfully supporting the construction of primary schools component. The component is regarded as an important factor in achieving improved access to basic education for all.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Suzuki expressed his firm belief that the grant extended will provide greater accessibility to the children in pursuing their primary level education. He further expressed his confidence that the continued Japanese economic cooperation to the Kingdom of Nepal will promote the socio-economic development programs of His Majesty's Government of Nepal thereby strengthening the existing friendly relations between Japan and Nepal.
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