ADB provides $95 million for education

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is helping Nepal restructure its education system and ensure all children, especially girls and children from vulnerable groups, have access to a better education.
The ADB's Board of Directors approved the Education Sector Programme (ESP) Subprogramme III that will contribute to the restructuring of the school system by extending the current five-year primary education into eight years of basic education, said the head office Manila.
The assistance package, consisting of a $70 million grant and a $25 million loan, will also help the government initiate pilot projects to improve secondary education as well as technical education and vocational training. At present, 25 per cent of Nepali children aged between five and 12 years old are out of school, compounded by high dropout and repetition rates at the primary level.
While there have been substantial improvements in equal access to school over the last decade, gender, caste, and ethnic disparities increase as children move up to higher levels. Grade performance of children from vulnerable groups is below average. In addition, schools serving the poorest and most marginalised communities are found to be the least staffed and supported.
Under the government's School Sector Reform programme, a range of affirmative actions to support education for girls and vulnerable groups has been defined, including financial incentives and teaching support for the schools as well as financial and non-cash support for the children and their families. The programme will also improve learning achievement levels and the cost-efficiency and effectiveness of the education system.
"A shift to an egalitarian and inclusive education system will help to relieve the root causes of conflict and social tension, build social cohesion, and contribute to social stability," said Takashi Matsuo, Director (Agriculture, Natural Resources and Social Services) at ADB's South Asia Department.
"Better access to affordable and quality education, and better learning achievements will ensure that these groups are able to generate the necessary human and social capital to build economically and socially responsible lives," said Alain Borghijs, Social Sector Economist at ADB's South Asia Department.
The package will be released in two tranches -- $45 million in the first tranche and $50 million within 18 months of the release of the first tranche and upon compliance of certain conditions.
The Subprogramme III will finance the initial phase of the government's School Sector Reform programme from fiscal year 2010 to 2012.
ADB approved the Education Sector Programme's Subprogramme I in 2006 with a programme loan of $30 million to be used from fiscal year 2007 to 2009. The $8-million Subprogramme II, approved in 2008, supports the preparation for the School Sector Reform programme from fiscal year 2008 to 2011.