WB approves Rs 7.2 billion to improve quality of education

Kathmandu: The World Bank has approved 60 million US dollars (approximately Rs 7.2 billion) to improve the quality of higher education in Nepal and scale up online learning, and expand access to academic institutions for underprivileged and vulnerable students.    
    
“Improving access to quality higher education and helping students acquire the skills that are in demand in the labor market will contribute to Nepal’s COVID-19 recovery and strengthen its resilience,” according to Faris Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.    
    
It is stated that the Nurturing Excellence in Higher Education Program builds on Nepal’s previous successful higher education projects supported through results-based financing.    
    
The World Bank’s country office argued that the support would help the government of Nepal align its higher education sector with labor market needs, boost collaborative research and entrepreneurship, improve governance, and access to quality higher education, especially for disadvantaged students.