UNICEF and Finland continue their partnership to support the education sector of Nepal

 Finland and UNICEF have signed a partnership agreement for the years 2023-2027. Finland is committing 4.2 million euros (approximately Rs 590 million) to UNICEF’s efforts in Nepal to enhance quality services for children, according to a press note issued by UNICEF.

Finland and UNICEF have been collaborating in the education sector in Nepal since 2019, and the agreed support is a continuation of this partnership.

At a ceremony held in Kathmandu today, the ambassador of Finland to Nepal Riina-Riikka Heikka and  UNICEF representative to Nepal Usha Mishra signed the partnership agreement for the years 2023-2027, on behalf of their respective institutions.

Finland is committing 4.2 million euros for the enhancement of quality services for children in Nepal, the press note reads, adding that Finland and UNICEF have been collaborating in the education sector since 2019 – the agreed support is a continuation of this partnership. “With the signed agreement, the partners reaffirmed their aspiration to strengthen inclusion and quality education for children in Nepal.”

The renewed partnership will focus on strengthening school readiness, foundational learning and inclusive education models, targeting particularly the most vulnerable children. “It also addresses those children who have been particularly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic or other disasters eg floods, in terms of their access to education participation and learning outcomes,” it claims, adding that the partnership also supports the new School Education Sector Plan (SESP) of the government of Nepal, to which both Finland and UNICEF are contributing.

“UNICEF is one of Finland’s long-term partners in Nepal,” Finland’s ambassador Riina-Riikka Heikka said, after signing the agreement. “The good relations are based on mutual understanding, common goals, common commitment and joint efforts to promote sustainable development in Nepal,” she said, adding that education is one of the key pillars of Finland’s Country Programme for Development Cooperation in Nepal. “We need strong partnerships in order to jointly strive for inclusive quality education.”

The strong and strategic partnership with Finland over the previous years has allowed us to continue supporting the Government in their pursuit of expanding access and improving the quality of public education in Nepal, so as to serve the children of the country, especially those left behind,”  UNICEF representative Usha Mishra said, after signing ceremony.