KATHMANDU: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan of USD 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. An agreement to this effect was signed and exchanged at the Ministry of Finance today, as stated by the Ministry. Secretary at the Ministry of Finance Shantaraj Subedi and ADB Nepal Mission’s Country Director Kenichi Yokoyama signed the loan agreement. 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. READ ALSO:

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