The government of Australia has pledged Rs. 3.46 billion for Health and Education Sector Reform Plan covering a five-year period.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Australian ambassador to Nepal, Susan Grace, and secretary Krishna Hari Baskota of the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday.

Australia is funding in School Sector Reform Plan for Rs. 1.46 billion over the period 2009-2014 to assist Nepal reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development by providing more girls and boys access to better education, and bringing out-of-school children into schools, according to the press release issued by Australian embassy.

Similarly, through the Nepal Health Sector Program (2010-2015), Australia is providing NPR 2 billion over the next five years as part of an International Health Partnership which will increase the quality of essential health care services to all Nepali people – particularly the marginalised and underprivileged.

Australia’s support to education and health is to assist Nepal to achieve its Millennium Development Goals, including: reducing malnutrition (MDG 1); achieving universal primary education (MDG 2); and promoting gender equality and empowering women (MDG 3); further reducing childhood mortality (MDG 4); and improving maternal health (MDG 5), as well as strengthening Nepal’s health and education systems to deliver more equitable, inclusive and accessible services, reads the press statement.

In financial year 2010-11, Australia is providing an estimated AUD18.4 million in official development assistance to Nepal. nepalnews.com