KATHMANDU: Japan has extended grant assistance of up to Rs 335 million to the Government of Nepal for implementing the School Sector Development Program (SSDP).

Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Saigo Masamichi and Sishir Kumar Dhungana, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance signed notes to this effect.

Another set of grant agreements for implementing the program were signed by Asakuma Yumiko, Chief Representative of JICA Nepal, and Shreekrishna Nepal, Joint Secretary, the International Economic Cooperation and Coordination Division of the Ministry of Finance, a statement issued by the Embassy of Japan has said.

It said that education is an investment in human capital and the foundation of a nation’s sustainable social and economic development 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 by 2022 and reach the status of a middle-income country by 2030.

Ambassador Saigo hoped that the program will improve the equity, quality, efficiency, governance, management and resilience of the education sector.

Ambassador Saigo 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. With regard to this, the schools have incorporated innovative technologies (e.g. digital and mobile technologies combined with traditional technologies such as radio and television) in order to provide continuous education.