Kathmandu, January 31:

Citing the turn of political events in the country, the World Bank has deferred the date for signing of the agreement on the Higher Education Project (HEP) II for a month, Professor Dr Bidur Prasad Upadhyaya, chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), said today.

The agreement, which was slated to be signed at the World Bank Head Office in Washington DC on January 23, will be signed on February 20, Upadhyaya said.

The WB deferred the signing of the agreement by a month, saying it might be difficult for bureaucrats to leave the country in times of need, Upadhyaya said.

Prof Updhyaya said the WB mission that was here for a week-long visit from November 22 had accepted the appraisal document for the HEP II to provide the grant of $60 million for the higher education sector for five years.

The five-year project comprises reform grants ($38 million), students’ financial assistance ($7 million), higher secondary education ($13 million) and strengthening systemic capacity ($2 million).

Under the project, while the UGC will be the focal point for higher education, the Department of Education (DoE) will be the focal point for Higher Secondary and school-level education. While the UGC will receive $48 million, the DoE will receive $12 million.