ADB approves $200 million loan to strengthen education system in Nepal

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today approved a $200 million concessional loan to help Nepal strengthen the equity, quality, and resilience of its school education.

The programme will assist the implementation of the first 5 years of the government’s School Education Sector Plan 2021–2030 in a sector wide approach supported by eight development partners, including ADB, according to a press note issued by the multilateral development partner. “The programme will enhance learning provisions for basic and secondary schools; strengthening teaching and learning in schools; accelerate the recovery from learning losses caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; and improve capacity of local governments in education planning, monitoring, and reporting,” it reads.

“Nepal has done significantly well in terms of improving access to education, however, there is still a need to address remaining equity issues to access and importantly to take a holistic approach to address persistent challenge in improving learning outcomes,” ADB Principal Social Sector Specialist for South Asia Rudi Van Dael said, adding that the programme will help accelerate reforms and transform the country’s education system to develop human capital, reduce social inequity, and attain sustainable growth.

Selected secondary schools will be upgraded to increase opportunities to study science education in grades 11–12, especially for girls. The pro-poor scholarship scheme will be expanded from grades 9–12 to grades 6–12 to improve retention.

To mitigate learning loss from the Covid-19 pandemic, a recovery and accelerated learning program will be jointly implemented with community and civil society organisations. “To prepare schools against future learning disruptions, more and better accessible e-resources will be made available through the Sikai Chautari online learning portal,” ADB Senior Project Officer (Education) for South Asia Smita Gyawali said, adding that the programme will further strengthen local government’s capacity to deliver education in the federal system.

ADB will provide an additional $1 million technical assistance grant from its Technical Assistance Special Fund and administer equivalent of $600,000 grant from the Government of Norway to support capacity building activities, strengthen programme management and coordination, and improve the monitoring and reporting capability of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology.