March 10, 2010
 Japan's Assistance for Quality Education for Children Affected by
Armed-conflict
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The Government of Japan has decided to extend financial assistance of eighty-eight thousand, two hundred and eighteen US Dollars (USD 88,218), equivalent to approximately six million, three hundred and ninety-eight thousand, four hundred and fifty one Nepali Rupees (NRs 6,398,451) to Save the Children Japan in Japan's Fiscal Year 2009 under the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects scheme of the Government of Japan. Save the Children Japan (SCJ) will implement the Project for Quality Education for Children Affected by Armed-conflict in Dang and Surkhet Districts in coordination with the District Education Offices and three local NGOs, namely, the Society for Environment Economy Development (SEED), the Social Awareness Center (SAC), and Women for Human Rights (WHR).
The Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects is a scheme to provide financial assistance for the implementation of social and economic development and emergency humanitarian assistance projects to be undertaken by Japanese NGOs in developing countries and regions.
The Grant Contract relating to this Project was exchanged today between His Excellency Mr. Tatsuo MIZUNO, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, and Ms. Ayano SUZUMURA, Resident Representative of Save the Children Japan - Nepal office.
The most striking results achieved by SCJ were evident in primary schools enrollment, attendance and retention rates. These achievements were only possible through adapting and reflecting the opinions of the local community to form a School Improvement Plan (SIP) under the first and second phase of the project in JFY 2007 and 2008. This grant is to be utilized exclusively under SIP to improve access to quality learning opportunities for all children in 30 primary schools in Dang and Surkhet Districts where many internally displaced people reside. The Project targets 6,000 of the most marginalized and conflict affected children, especially girls, Dalits, indigenous children, as well as the children of widows. The Project is expected to be accomplished by improving the management of government schools. This is not only to ensure an equitable distribution of quality education to the conflict-affected children, but also to eliminate discrimination against those children, who are living under difficult circumstances. Under this third phase, focus will be on strengthening local administration and resident's sustainable capacity in providing quality education by utilizing local resources and services essential to achieving the goals.
Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Mr. MIZUNO expressed his belief that the Project proved itself a significant case study to improve local educational bodies, and reiterated that the contribution from the Government of Japan was to help the realization of "Education for All by 2015 (EFA)", aiming to improve the quality of education in primary schools by constructing primary schools, classrooms and toilets. The Government of Japan also dispatches many volunteers and experts in the education sector. Mr. MIZUNO further expressed his belief that the Project, as one of Japan's contributions for the enhancement of quality education for armed-conflict affected children could further strengthen the friendly relationship between Japan and Nepal.
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