DHAKA: The signing ceremony of ‘Japanese Grant Aid for The Third Primary Education Development Programme (PEDPIII)’ was held at Economic Relations Division (ERD) of finance ministry on Tuesday (February 9).

Japan ambassador to Bangladesh Masato Watanabe and ERD senior secretary Mohammad Mejbahuddin signed Exchange of Notes representing respective governments.

JICA Bangladesh office chief representative Mikio Hataeda also attended the ceremony and signed the Grant Agreement for the Programme.

Since 2000, Bangladesh has achieved impressive results as it has worked to achieve the Education for All targets, the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) for primary education under the PEDP.

PEDP is the singular national development strategic plan for primary education in Bangladesh and PEDPIII is the third phase from 2011 to 2017.

In particular, the target of universal primary enrolment has improved 98% (2015) from 76% (1991).

Japan has supported PEDP-III, with other 9 development partners under the Sector Wide Approaches (SWAPs). At this time, the Japan government provides the grant aid up to BDT 319 million (490 million Japanese Yen) and this financing support is the fourth contribution following 2013.

Japan has provided support with a focus on improving the quality of primary education for all. For more than a decade, various approaches composed of policy strengthening, development of textbook and teaching materials, strengthening school management and improvement of teacher’s training, as well as this financing support have been taken.

Japan’s approach with a focus on the quality assurance through technical cooperation, Japanese volunteers and policy advisors, makes a good synergy with SWAPs and financing support because those who have been working in the field can provide feedback to policy decision making at national level.

BDST: 1739 HRS, FEB 09, 2016
RR/SMS