The European Union (EU) has just released €4.1 million (about 480 million Nepali Rupees) to the Government of Nepal. "The education sector suffered very badly due to the earthquakes and also the agitation later in 2015 and needs specific attention during the reconstruction phase. The EU is already providing 650 Transitional Learning Centers and this budget support can further help to bring the sector back on track", says EU Ambassador, Ms. Rensje Teerink,

This payment by the EU is the third fixed tranche of its current budget support to the Education sector totaling €31,200,000 (equivalent to approximately 3.7 billion Nepali Rupees) for the School Sector Reform Program (SSRP). Nepal's SSRP is the latest in a series of comprehensive programs to support the development of education in Nepal.

According to a press release issued by EU, the EU's support contributes to poverty reduction and the socio-economic development in Nepal by raising educational access and achievements of the young generation on an equitable basis. The SSRP focuses on improving access to quality education at early childhood, basic and secondary levels, particularly for children from marginalized groups. It is a collective effort which brings key stakeholders together: government, teacher and parent organizations, civil society as well as development partners with the aim to enhance coordination, impact and results of the reform program.

Education is one of the focal areas of EU Nepal cooperation and will be scaled up and also broadened to technical and vocational training during the period 2014-2020.