Kathmandu : Today, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced up to $85 million over five years, subject to the availability of funds, to expand access to quality education for children in Nepal, particularly focusing on marginalized youth and early grade students. This expansion strengthens the existing partnership between the United States and Nepal, reaffirming their shared dedication to Nepal’s development goals.

At an event in Kathmandu, USAID Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for Asia Zeinah Salahi said: “USAID has been a steadfast partner in Nepal’s development journey for over 70 years. These new investments will continue to open doors for children in Nepal and help promising young people reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to their communities’ and nation’s development progress.”

The funding will support three activities:

• USAID Early Grade Learning: Over the next five years, USAID will collaborate with local governments across all of Nepal’s seven provinces to improve learning outcomes for children in grades 1-3. USAID will collaborate with local governments to revise teacher training so that teachers are better equipped to work with students of diverse backgrounds and abilities. Additionally, USAID will provide direct grants supporting a wide range of school needs, including textbooks, latrines, book corners, and classroom improvements, at low-performing schools in marginalized communities.

• USAID Education Direct Financing: USAID will strengthen the capacity of federal, provincial, and municipal governments to support students in grades 1-10 in all provinces. It will assist Nepal’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in planning, budgeting, and implementing activities related to improving access, promoting equity and inclusion, and strengthening the education system’s resilience.

• USAID Equity and Inclusion in Education: Focusing on youth who are at the highest risk of abandoning their education, USAID will bring out-of-school children back into classrooms, reduce dropouts, and guarantee quality learning experiences for all learners. This five-year activity will be implemented by Plan International and its consortium.

In Nepal, USAID collaborates with the government, civil society, and the private sector to tackle shared priorities in education, as well as other key challenges in health, disaster resilience, economic growth, democracy, and good governance. Through its partnerships for education, USAID addresses the unique needs of marginalized youth and early grade students, contributing to higher quality of education and a more inclusive and equitable education system in Nepal. By increasing the likelihood that all children will succeed in the classroom, USAID supports a brighter future for Nepal in which all people, including those from marginalized communities and groups, can fully participate in Nepal’s democracy.