September 16, 2008
 Japan Extends Grant for Education for All
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The Government of Japan has decided to extend grant aid assistance to the sum of eight hundred and seventy million Yen (¥870,000,000), which is equivalent to six hundred two million nine hundred and ten thousand Nepalese Rupees (NRs.602,910,000), or approximately eight million two hundred and thirty thousand US Dollars (US$8,230,000), to the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal for the Project for Construction of Primary Schools in Support of Education for All, Phase II, in Japan's Fiscal Year (JFY) 2008, in accordance with the Notes exchanged between the Japanese Government and Nepalese Government for the implementation of this grant aid assistance.
His Excellency Mr. Tatsuo Mizuno, the Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, and Mr. Rameshore Prasad Khanal, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance of the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, have signed and exchanged a set of Notes today on behalf of their respective Governments.
Sufficient provision of classrooms and school buildings can certainly enhance access to invaluable education opportunities for children, thereby enabling them to build their bright futures by themselves. In this context, Japan, as Nepal's close development partner, has been supporting Nepal in the implementation of its education projects for a number of years. One of the examples is the construction of classrooms under the projects of "Basic and Primary Education Program - I (BPEP-I)," "BPEP-II," and "Education for All Phase I," which has an aim to help achieve the objective of universal primary education in line with the international development goal of the "Education for All by 2015."
It is to be reiterated that the Government of Japan has been supporting the efforts of the Government of Nepal through provision of grant aid assistance for construction of as many as 8,000 primary schools, with the aim of helping ensure primary education opportunities for all Nepalese children regardless of their gender, ethnicity and social background.
Under this grant aid agreement, the Government of Japan is planning to provide 370 classroom buildings, 362 toilets, 90 water supply facilities, and 11,420 sets of classroom furniture in eight districts, namely, Baglung, Dhading, Gulmi, Kaski, Lalitpur, Palpa, Rupandehi and Surkhet, in accordance with its implementation plan. The major objective of the Project is to help enhance access to primary education and improve the quality of education through the provision of education infrastructures in line with the Nepalese National Plan of Actions for achieving universal primary education by 2015.
It is to be noted that Japan has been committed to helping achieve universal primary education on a global basis, through (1) enhancing access to education, (2) improving the quality of education, and (3) strengthening administrative capacities in order to realize this very important development objective.
Furthermore, Japan has been conducting a number of education programs in Nepal and has made a significant contribution to the education sector especially in terms of access and quality. Through the implementation of this program Japan can even further contribute to the development of the Nepali education sector, thereby helping accelerate poverty reduction and social and economic advancement in the country.
Also, it is to be emphasized that the infrastructures and facilities, which are built through Japan–supported education projects, shall be utilized fully and appropriately, being integrated with good management, and regular and careful maintenance, as well as teachers' and students' zeal for bright nation building. The Ambassador Mr. MIZUNO expressed his firm belief that the Nepalese people have sufficient capacity and experience to fulfill this nationwide aspiration.
Speaking on the occasion, he expressed his sincere hope that this Japan's ODA project will further strengthen the friendly relationship between Japan and Nepal.
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