EU to give 54m euro for primary edn

European Union on Wednesday announced that it would provide over 54 million euros for the phase three of the primary education development programme in Bangladesh.

In addition, the EU will give 52 million euros to non-formal primary schools to help 5,00,000 more children to get education. 

Visiting EU commissioner Andris Piebalgs gave the announcement during his visit to EU-funded projects in Jessore, said a press release.

Visiting German federal minister Dirk Niebel was also present during the visit.

The two dignitaries visited the EU-funded social safety net programme and Rural Employment Opportunities for Public Assets.

They talked to the women beneficiaries of the projects, who successfully managed to graduate out of extreme poverty and are now able to sustain economically by using skills and assets obtained through the projects, the release said.

They visited a primary school in Lohacura near Jessore that is supported under the framework of the Second Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP-II), co-financed by EU and other development partners.

Commissioner Piebalgs said, 'Bangladesh's most important resource is its people where education is absolutely essential so that children can secure their future and make a contribution to the development of the country.'

He said the EU would continue to support the government's efforts in achieving the millennium development goal in education sector.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited a German-Bangladesh pilot project which promotes photovoltaic systems for rural households and provides improved cooking stoves.

Addressing a function on the occasion, Dirk Niebel said the project illustrates ways of sustainable energy resource and it would help Bangladesh to cope with the energy crisis.

Later on the day, the delegation exchanged views with the German- Bangladesh business community.

Leading German companies have taken strong interest in the idea of investing in 'social business' as promoted by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, said Niebel.

He invited Dr Yunus to the upcoming forum on the Future of Global Development to be organised by German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Source : New Age