Government of Nepal and education development partners formalize cooperation for SESP

Kathmandu, 17 Aug: The Government of Nepal and eight development partners finalized the signing of a joint financing arrangement for the implementation of School Education Sector Plan (SESP) that seeks to support Nepal’s long-term goal of ensuring inclusive access to quality education for all children.

The SESP covers the entire school education sector in the country from pre-primary to grade 12, including non-formal education and alternative pathways for children and youth. It is slated for completion in 2032, extending the trajectory of the education sector beyond the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) timeline.

The strategic plan extends over a 10-year period, with funding requirements of approximately NPR 955 billion (US$7.2 billion) for the initial five years. The Government is projected to provide NPR 833 billion (US$6.3 billion), leaving a funding gap of around US$900 million.

The eight Joint Financing Partners – the Asian Development Bank, European Union, Finland, Global Partnership for Education, Norway, UNICEF, USAID and the World Bank – have committed a combined US$780 million budget support over the next five years.