Finnish govt agrees to provide Rs 2.36 billion grant

 KATHMANDU, July 14: The Government of Finland has agreed to provide Rs 2.36 billion grant assistance (20 million Euro) for the implementation of School Sector Development Program (SSDP).

An agreement to this effect was signed and exchanged between Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Baikuntha Aryal and Finnish ambassador to Nepal Jorma Suvanto on behalf of their respective governments, amid a program at the Ministry of Finance in Kathmandu today.

The SSDP is a continuation of School Sector Reform Program (SSRP) and its objective is to improve quality, equitable access and efficiency of basic and secondary education in Nepal.

It also focuses on specific SSDP outcomes in main result areas, improved teaching-learning outcomes, improving equitable access to basic and secondary education and strengthening education system, sector planning, management and governance.

It will be implemented by the Department of Education of Nepal throughout a period of 2016-2022 in a more harmonized and coordinated way through joint financing arrangement with other development partners, said a program official.

Meanwhile in response, the Government of Nepal has expressed its appreciation to the Government of Finland for this assistance and expressed hope for its continued support in the socioeconomic development of Nepal in the future. RSS