Government, World Bank sign additional financing agreements of $50 million each to strengthen school and health sectors

The government and the World Bank (WB) signed two separate additional financing agreements of $50 million each today to support the implementation of the government’s flagship School Sector Development Programme (SSDP) in the education sector and public management reforms in the health sector.

The agreements were signed by finance secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini on behalf of the government and World Bank country director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka Faris Hadad-Zervos.

"Strengthening Nepal’s education and health systems is an essential element of building back better from the pandemic,” finance secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini said, adding that the reform agenda championed by the Nepal Health Sector Programme for Results is critical to Nepal’s vision of an efficient, effective, transparent and accountable health system, and together with the School Sector Development Programme, provides a catalyst for improved human capital development enabling Nepal to compete strongly post-Covid.

The Additional Financing to the School Sector Development Programme will help reduce dropouts and mitigate learning losses by supporting pro-poor targeted scholarships, pro-science scholarships, and catch-up programmes. It will lay the foundation for the next school sector successor programme in two areas – assessment and data systems, and help create the fiscal space to fill the gap in financing the government’s flagship programme.

The Additional Financing for Nepal Health Sector Management Reform Programme for Results will support the original Nepal Health Sector Management Reform Programme for Results implemented under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Population. "It spearheads reforms in public procurement, financial management, data for decision making and citizen engagement for greater accountability in the health sector," a press note issued by the World Bank today reads.

"These engagements contribute to Nepal’s green, resilient, and inclusive development by making the country’s education and health systems more inclusive and resilient to future shocks, which will in turn help to accelerate human capital development," World Bank country director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka Faris Hadad-Zervos said, adding that he is very hopeful that that the additional financing will help propel Nepal closer to its goal of universal health coverage, and ensure equitable access and improve the quality of education and learning outcomes for children and young people in Nepal.

World Bank $10.85 million additional grant to support learning and build resilient education sector

 Nepal and the World Bank today signed a financing agreement for an additional grant of $10.85 million to the School Sector Development Programme (SSDP) to maintain access to basic education and continued learning for children amid the Covid-19 crisis.

The government’s SSDP is a sector-wide program supported by IDA credit of $185 million, together with support from Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Union (EU), Finland, Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Norway, USAID, UNICEF and REACH Multi-Donor Trust Fund administered by the World Bank. The programme aims at improving the quality, equitable access, and efficiency of basic and secondary education in Nepal.

The additional grant from the GPE Covid-19 Accelerated Funds will contribute to the implementation of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology’s Covid-19 contingency plan to mitigate and respond to the potential impacts of the pandemic on the education sector.

The agreement was signed by the Joint Secretary at the Finance Ministry Shreekrishna Nepal on behalf of the government of Nepal and by the World Bank country director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, Faris Hadad-Zervos.

“We are thankful to the World Bank and GPE for the additional grant that will help mitigate learning loss for children due to the impact of Covid-19,” Nepal said, adding that the grant provides much needed support to the government to respond to the impacts of the pandemic to enable continuity of learning during school closures, enable schools to safely resume and mitigate the impacts on students and teachers, including loss of learning time and psychosocial impacts.

The additional grant will finance activities to support remote learning programmes through television, radio and the learning portal as well as printed learning packs for children who do not have access to media or internet. The grant will support communication campaigns and teacher professional development programmes and help strengthen the Education Management Information Systems. The grant will also support provincial and local governments to support safe reopening of schools and continued learning of children.

“The education sector in Nepal and across the world has been one of the hardest hit owing to the pandemic which has deeply affected learning outcomes for children”,  World Bank country director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka Faris Hadad-Zervos, said after signing ceremony. “While supporting the immediate needs for safeguarding access and learning for children, especially girls, the additional grant will support the broader resilient recovery efforts of the government and help build back better the education sector in Nepal.”

JICA Nepal signs grant assistance for Education

JICA Nepal today signed grant assistance agreements for the School Sector Development Programme (SSDP) as the Government of Japan extended grant assistance of 300 million Japanese yen (approximately Rs 335million) to Nepal for the 5th year of the ‘School Sector Development Programme (SSDP).
Japanese ambassador to Nepal Masamichi Saigo and finance secretary Sishir Kumar Dhungana – on behalf of their respective governments – signed and did the Exchange of Notes (E/N) for the assistance. Pn the same occasion, the grant agreements for the SSDP were signed and exchanged between joint secretary at the Finance Ministry Shreekrishna Nepal and chief representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Nepal Yumiko Asakuma.
The SSDP started implementation from July 2016 aims at consolidating gains from previous reform programmes and continue crucial reforms needed in the school education sector through the SWAp modality. The overarching mission of the SSDP is to produce the needed human resources to elevate the country’s status from a least developed country by 2022 and to reach the goal of achieving the status of the level of the middle-income country by 2030.
Purpose of the SSDP is to improve the equity, quality, efficiency, governance and management of the education sector. SSDP focuses on capacity and knowledge enhancement of both students and teachers by developing relevant teaching and learning methods and materials that ensures quality development.  Lately, SSDP also focuses on strengthening school-level disaster management and resilience to develop school as a conflict free zone.
As present education policies and sector plan (SSDP) of Nepal target to meet Sustainable Development Goal 4: ‘Ensuring inclusive and equitable education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all’. It targets to ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality of education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes, while adhering to tackling disparities in remote area.
Development of Education sector in Nepal is one of JICA’s top priorities and it assures to continue its support to this sector for effective implementation and output. Considering the current situation of Covid-19 and its possible impacts to education sector, the government may explore necessary flexibility and develop a common understanding with all development partners to best utilise the available resources in addressing the emerging needs of the school education.

Japan extends grant for School Sector Development Programme

The government of Japan has extended grant assistance of up to 300 million Japanese Yen (¥300,000,000), equivalent to Rs 335 million to Nepal for implementing the School Sector Development Programme (SSDP).
Japanese ambassador to Nepal Saigo Masamichi and finance secretary Sishir Kumar Dhungana signed notes to this effect today at the Finance Ministry.
Another set of grant agreements for implementing the programme were also signed by chief representative of JICA Nepal Asakuma Yumiko and joint secretary at the International Economic Cooperation and Coordination Division under Finance Ministry Shreekrishna Nepal, according to a press note issued by the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu.
Education is an investment in human capital and the foundation of a nation's sustainable social and economic development, the press note reads, adding that the vision of SSDP is to contribute to the development of self-sustainable, competitive, innovative and value oriented citizens for the socio-economic transformation of the nation.
SSDP is considered as an important vessel for Nepal's school education. As such it will produce the needed human resources to elevate Nepal's status from a Least Developed Country (LDC) by 2022 and reach the status of a middle-income country by 2030. Ambassador Saigo hopes that the programme will improve the equity, quality, efficiency, governance, management and resilience of the education sector.
He also pointed out that the Covid-19 outbreak has made the situation difficult for both countries. The pandemic has had serious impacts on students' learning and well-being, he said, adding that with regard to this, the schools have incorporated innovative technologies (eg digital and mobile technologies combined with traditional technologies such as radio and television) in order to provide continuous education.
In view of this, ambassador Saigo hopes that even during this pandemic, the country will take up the challenge to ensure that children and their education will help to contribute to a more prosperous Nepal in the future. The Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu – in the press note – also said that it is confident that the objectives envisaged by the project will be achieved, and will contribute towards further strengthening the relationship, friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Japan and Nepal.

Government and development partners take stock of SSDP amid Covid-19 impacts

The Budget Review Mission (BRM) of the government’s flagship School Sector Development Programme (SSDP) was completed yesterday under the leadership of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) with joint financing and non-joint financing partners including World Bank, USAID, ADB, Finland, Norway, European Union, JICA, Global Partnership for Education, REACH MDTF and UNICEF, and other stakeholders.
The review assessed progress and achievements of the plan’s fourth year of implementation, annual work plan and budget and allocation of resources for the final year, together with an assessment of the impact of Covid-19 on the SSDP, according to a press note issued by the World Bank (WB).
Prior to the budget review, virtual consultation and information sharing sessions were organised with the provincial and local government leaders, Teachers Union, Association of INGOs, Consortium of Civil Society Organisations and other stakeholders.
“We are looking at new modalities and approaches that ensure children continue to learn and at the same time ensure their wellbeing,” said secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Dr Sanjay Sharma. “We expect that education will be a priority sector in the upcoming budget given the Covid-19 pandemic and will look at means to expedite programmes and coordinate amongst all levels of government and stakeholders on a national framework that guides safe reopening of schools.”
The review appreciated MoEST’s continued effort to pursue and achieve education objectives under the SSDP, implementing reforms to improve access and the quality of education, and some of the immediate responses to the impact of Covid-19 on the education sector including a scenario based contingency plan to respond to immediate impacts and the initiation of remote teaching-learning programs to ensure that children can continue learning while the schools remain closed.
At the same time, it is expected that the shocks to education from the Covid-19 pandemic could lead to increased dropout rates, learning loss and heighten the inequality with the most vulnerable students disproportionately bearing the impact of the shock.
“The Covid-19 pandemic threatens to reverse the progress made to date on Nepal’s education outcomes impacting children and young people, especially the poor and vulnerable,” said World Bank country manager for Nepal Faris Hadad-Zervos. “It is critical to counter these impacts through appropriate policy responses and turn this crisis into an opportunity to build back better.”
“Given the latest development on Covid-19 in Nepal, we will likely see impacts in the education sector for a long time,” USAID acting mission director Adriana Hayes, on the occasion, said, adding that schools will reopen in phases over time. “Similar to many countries globally, it is likely that we will see the need to periodically close schools to protect the health of the population.”
She also urged the ministry to ensure that the fiscal year's education budget and work plan incorporate the activities identified in the Education Cluster Contingency plan so that local governments can receive funds and continue to provide access to education during this unprecedented crisis.
The BRM recommended a set of agreed actions to expedite SSDP implementation in the final year under the broader purview of the immediate, medium and long term impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the education sector in Nepal.

World Bank supports employment and education programmes

Despite huge criticism the government is borrowing Rs 13.73 billion from the World Bank to finance politically motivated employment programme.
The government and the World Bank today signed two separate agreements today to improve employment services and labour market outcomes for Nepali youth and continue support for the government’s flagship School Sector Development Programme (SSDP). According to a press note issued by the World Bank (WB), finance secretary Dr Rajan Khanal and the World Bank country manager for Nepal Faris H Hadad-Zervos signed the agreements today at the Finance Ministry.
“Human capital development and creation of jobs within the country for young people, especially women, is a top priority of the government,” Khanal said, adding that the support for promoting social security and quality education is an important contributor for achieving effective service delivery under Nepal’s new federal structure and our goal of a Prosperous Nepal and Happy Nepali.
The Youth Employment Transformation Initiative (YETI) is a new project of $ 120 million (approximately Rs 13.73 billion) that aims to strengthen the systems and services for employability including programmes like the Prime Minister Employment Programme (PMEP). The project is expected to benefit 100,000 young people, especially women, and will be implemented by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security over a period of five years.
Though, experts have been criticising the government for borrowing money to be spent on a politically potivated programme – that became controvercial in the last fiscal year too – the YETI will support the 753 Employment Service Centers (ESCs) at the local level to increase access to employment opportunities by providing employment promotion and employment support services for registered job seekers. “It will also support a holistic National Employment Management Information System (NEMIS) for effective and efficient management and monitoring of the services provided by the project and PMEP, management of data on job seekers and job-related opportunities, and evidence-based employment policy formulation,” reads the press note.
Last year also, the government was criticised for misusing the public purse – in the name of Prime Minister Employment Programme (PMEP) – for temporary jobs that neither created wealth nor helped capital formation. But the government is implementing the PMEM this year with the borrowed money from World Bank.
Amid worries that the money could end up on handouts as has been widely reported last year about instances of doling out funds for works like gardening and cleaning, Hadad-Zervos said that there are enough safeguard measures to make sure that the project meet its purposes. “The system and processes designed not only at the center, but also at the local level, ensure that proper people will be identified that need this type of job opportunities, transparency in payment and sustainability of jobs,” he said, claiming that the funding will ultimately help development projects at the local level.
The World Bank also claimed that the project is expected to create temporary employment opportunities in the maintenance of public assets and provision of services to engage up to 35,000 vulnerable individuals and yield about 3.5 million work-days annually. “The temporary employment opportunities will be complemented by on-the-job and life skills trainings of up to 50 days per individual to improve the employability of young people in the long run and ensure sustainability, following the updated PMEP guideline,” the press note reads, adding that the project is also expected to also support capacity building initiatives to facilitate effective service delivery and coordination in the new federal structure while creating synergies with the private sector and existing projects to promote employment and employment-related services.
Likewise, Additional Financing (AF)of $23.958 million (approximately Rs 2.74 billion) was made available through the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Grant to support Nepal’s School Sector Development Programme (SSDP). The SSDP annually benefits over 7 million students and over 180,000 teachers and early childhood education development (ECED) facilitators in more than 30,000 community schools and ECED centers across the country.
The additional financing will maintain support for the government’s SSDP to improve quality, equity and efficiency within the school education sector. It will also safeguard and maximize SSDP’s development impact during the ongoing federal transition. The additional financing will explicitly focus on education service delivery, especially for the most disadvantaged and setting strong foundations for the decentralised education systems. “It will help mitigate risks to education quality and access given heterogeneity in capacity and quality of governance at the local level,” the press note reads.
The GPE AF follows the results-based financing used in the parent IDA School Sector Development Programme to build on the existing momentum and results-focus by directly incentivising the government’s ownership and implementation of critical reforms and policies. It also offers more flexibility to tailor interventions to local contexts, which aligns well with the federal transition.
“Once children and young people are given the opportunity to access quality education, skills and meaningful employment, the potential for Nepal’s development can be truly unlocked,” World Bank country manager for Nepal Faris H Hadad-Zervos said, adding that the World Bank is committed to invest in people to contribute to Nepal’s growth trajectory as a trusted partner of Nepal.

Ncell joins hand with Rato Bangala and government to hold international conference on quality education

The second International Conference on Quality Education 2019 (ICQE2019) concluded here in Kathmandu today.
Ncell – under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) – had partnered with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) and Rato Bangala Foundation (RBF) to organize the three-day conference that saw participation of officials from the government as well as district level, teachers and national and international researchers, according to a press note issued by the Ncell.
The chief guest of the opening ceremony of the conference, education minister Giriraj Mani Pokharel, on the occasion, said that Nepal will be able to achieve its 2030 of Nepal's School Sector Development Plan (SSDP) vision of ensuring equitable access to safe and quality education for all only by focusing on providing quality education in the classroom, from early-childhood onward.
"We are extremely happy to partner with MoEST for its overarching strategic plan to attain SSDP Goals,” the press note quoted chief executive office of Ncell Andy Chong, as saying during the programme. “Ncell's focus is to empower foundational skills by providing platform for teachers from public sector that do not have access to training opportunities.”
The conference featured more than 75 expert-led presentations, 60 workshops, 14 parallel sessions over the three days, focusing around the theme ‘Learning by doing approach on early-childhood development model’, the press note reads, adding that over 700 participants, including more than 300 government level teachers from 55 districts, attended the conference. “Experts from Singapore, the United States, India, China, and Bangladesh trained the participants in the conference.”
Ncell aims at empowering education from the roots by delivering special skills, knowledge, and expertise within the education sector to help empower in aspects such as skills training, enhancing early-childhood education and knowledge sharing with those involved in the education sector at large, with this partnership in ICQE 2019 with Education Ministry and Rato Bangala Foundation, the telecom service provider claimed.
The post-conference workshops are scheduled to be organised at each of the seven provinces with a focus on quality education at early childhood education, the press note adds. 

Japan extends grant aid for the scholarships to government officers

Japan has extended grant aid for the scholarships to the government officers.
Japanese ambassador to Nepal Masamichi Saigo and finance secretary Rajan Khanal today signed and exchanged three sets of Notes, on behalf of their respective governments, to implement the implementation of Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarships (JDS).
These Notes are for extending Japan’s Grant Assistance up to ¥250 million (or equivalent to Rs 254.7 million) and ¥378 million (or equivalent to Rs 385.2 million) for the implementation of JDS Phase I and Phase II, respectively. The third note relates to assistance of ¥300 million (or equivalent to Rs 305.7 million) for the implementation of the School Sector Development Programme (SSDP).
Likewise, chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA Nepal) Yumiko Asakuma and joint secretary of the International Economic Cooperation and Coordination Division (IECCD) under Finance Ministry Shreekrishna Nepal have also signed and exchanged a Grant Agreement for the implementation of the scheme, according to a press note issued by the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu.
The JDS Project Grant is designed to support human resource development of friendly nations through accepting highly capable, energetic, and young government officials into Japanese universities and strengthening the partnership between recipient countries and Japan by utilising human relation chains to address future global needs, the press note reads. “Phase I of JDS is in the final completion stage under which 60 Nepali government officers have already been dispatched while 20 are in the process of pursing their studies in Japanese universities.”
In the meantime, Phase II of JDS is in the implementation process with the addition of an infrastructure development component and doctoral degree programme as per the request of the government of Nepal.
Similarly, Japan has also been assisting in the implementation of the School Sector Development Programme (SSDP) from 2016. “Education is an investment in human capital and the foundation for a nation’s sustainable social and economic development,” said Japanese envoy Saigo, after signing the agreement. He also stressed that through education the cycle of poverty could be eradicated in the long term. SSDP is considered as an important vessel to enable Nepal to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to become a middle-income country by 2030.
Envoy Saigo hoped that the SSDP would improve the quality of education, school management and institutional capacity and the access to education for children in marginalized communities, based on SDGs policy ‘No one left behind’.
The Embassy of Japan also expressed its firm belief that the objectives being envisaged by above Projects will be achieved, thereby further strengthening the existing cordial relationship of friendship and cooperation between the people of Japan and Nepal.
Japanese Grant Aid for human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) was established by the Government of Nepal with the assistance of the Government of Japan in 2015. The JDS is funded by the Government of Japan through Official Development Assistance (ODA) supported by Japanese tax payers. The JDS Grant is designed to support human resource development of friendly nations through accepting highly capable, energetic, and young government officials in designated Japanese universities as JDS fellows. These officials are then expected to engage in formulation and implementation of socio-economic development plans and programmes, and are also expected to be future leaders or engines for development in their respective countries. Yet another objective of the JDS Scheme is to strengthen partnerships between recipient countries and Japan by utilising human relation chains to address future global needs, the press note explains.

Japan extends grant aid for SSDP

Ambassador of Japan to Nepal Masamichi Saigo and finance secretary Rajan Khanal today signed, and exchanged three sets of Notes, on behalf of their respective governments to help nepali education sector.
These Notes are for extending Japan’s Grant Assistance up to 250 million Japanese Yen, equivalent to Rs 254.7 million, and 378 million Japanese Yen, equivalent to Rs 385.2 million for the implementation of JDS Phase I and Phase II respectively, according to a press note issued by the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu. “The third note relates to assistance of 300 million Japanese Yen, equivalent to Rs 305.7 million, for the implementation of the School Sector Development Program (SSDP).”
Likewise, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA Nepal) chief representative Yumiko Asakuma and joint secretary of the International Economic Cooperation and Coordination Division (IECCD) under the Finance Ministry Shree krishna Nepal have also signed and exchanged a grant agreement for the implementation of SSDP, the press note reads.
The JDS Project Grant is designed to support human resource development of friendly nations through accepting highly capable, energetic, and young government officials into Japanese universities and strengthening the partnership between recipient countries and Japan by utilising human relation chains to address future global needs. Phase I of JDS is in the final completion stage under which 60 Nepali government officers have already been dispatched while 20 are in the process of pursing their studies in Japanese universities. In the meantime, Phase II of JDS is in the implementation process with the addition of an infrastructure development component and doctoral degree programme as per the request of Nepal.
Japan has also been assisting in the implementation of the School Sector Development Programme (SSDP) from 2016.
Saigo, on the signing occasion, said that education is an investment in human capital and the foundation for a nation’s sustainable social and economic development. He also stressed that through education the cycle of poverty could be eradicated in the long term. “SSDP is considered as an important vessel to enable Nepal to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to become a middle-income country by 2030.”
The envoy also hoped that the SSDP would improve the quality of education, school management and institutional capacity and the access to education for children in marginalised communities, based on SDGs policy ‘No one left behind’.

ADB approves $120 million for school sector development programme

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan of $120 million, equivalent to Rs 13.11 billion, for the implementation of School Sector Development Plan (SSDP).
Moreover, the ADB would provide technical assistance worth Rs 54.5 million for the capacity development technical assistance project in the school sector.
Finance secretary Shantaraj Subedi and ADB Nepal Mission’s country director Kenichi Yokoyama signed the loan agreement today and exchanged at the Finance Ministry.
The SSDP is a continuation of the previous School Sector Reform Programme (SSRP), which was more focused on the quantity while SSDP focuses on the quality which supports the comprehensive interventions in improving quality in basic education and expands the coverage of quality secondary education.
The programme ensures the new school construction meeting all disaster risk resilience standards.
Further building on SSRP experiences, this programme will be implemented in a more harmonised and coordinated way through Joint Financing Arrangement with other development partners as well. The SSDP shall be implemented by the Department of Education.
The government has expressed its appreciation to the ADB for the assistance and its continued support in the socio-economic development of Nepal.

ADB pledges Rs 12 b for improvement of secondary education in Nepal

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved loan worth $120 million and grant of $500,000 to help improve education quality and an access to secondary education in Nepal.
Of the total loan and grant pledged, Rs 50 million will be availed as a grant, according to the ADB headquarters in Manila, Philippines. "The amount will be released to help the Ministry of Education implement the seven-year plan for School Sector Development Plan."
With the aid, around 200 model buildings capable of withstanding disasters including earthquake will be constructed in various locations across the country.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has improve access and quality of secondary
part of a multi-donor programme to provide $6.5 billion to the School Sector Development Plan (SSDP) – the government’s main education initiative for 2017 to 2023 – that includes setting up of 200 model schools with disaster risk resilient infrastructure, improved education facilities, a full complement of teachers and quality improvements to enhance student learning.
“Continued investment in education, particularly secondary education, is critical for Nepal to achieve its goal of becoming an inclusive and prosperous middle-income country by 2030,” the statement quoted director of the Human and Social Development Division in ADB’s South Asia Regional Department Sungsup Ra. "The project will support government efforts to increase the number of secondary school graduates, who will earn higher wages than non-graduates, and boost the efficiency of country’s education system.”
Although enrollment in basic education is high, few students, especially among marginalised groups such as dalits and poor girls, progress to secondary education in the country. The quality of learning is hampered by a lack of teachers and scarce opportunities for teachers’ professional development. Average achievement scores are particularly low in key subjects like math and science, and only 47 per cent of students passed the grade 10 examinations in 2015, reads the statement.
As part of the School Sector Development Plan, the ADB loan will also help boost quality education by, for example, introducing and expanding ICT in classrooms, boosting teachers’ professional development, and promoting activity-based pedagogy for math, science, and English. The model schools, meanwhile, will have a separate head teacher, a full complement of subject teachers, disaster risk-resilient infrastructure, water and sanitation facilities, a library, a science laboratory, ICT facilities, internet connectivity, and e-resources, it adds. "The $6.5 billion programme will benefit 6.3 million students, some 153,200 teachers, and over 34,000 schools."
It is envisaged that 4,500 schools will receive separate individual subject teachers for math, science, and English by 2021. Professional development courses will be provided to 13,500 teachers and activity-based math, science and English kits for grades six to eight will be made available in 3,000 schools. Model school programme will be rolled out in 200 community schools, benefiting 40,000 students with training for 2,000 teachers in new ICT and e-learning resources.
The programme will be carried out over the next five years under ADB’s results-based lending modality, which will disburse funds based on the achievement of yearly results or performance targets, according to the multilateral development partner.