The ‘Programme for Establishing Partnership and Stability in Battagram district was officially launched here by Dutch Ambassador Gajus Scheltema.
Elementary and Secondary Education Secretary Mushtaq Jadoon was also present as the special guest. The Netherlands government has provided financial support of € 14 million for this four-year programme. It aims at contributing to a peaceful and safe social environment for rural communities by improving access and quality of education, especially for girls, expanding livelihood and providing job opportunities for youth from the area.
The programme will be executed by ‘Save the Children’ in close collaboration with the KP government. A memorandum of understanding was signed last month between the Ministry of Education-KP and ‘Save the Children’.
In his speech, the Dutch ambassador highlighted the importance of the programme in terms of its scope, coverage, objectives and budget. He pointed out that this programme could make a sustainable difference in Battagram district if strong partnerships developed between local communities, the government, private sector and other development partners. He added: “We are providing substantial financial and technical support for the short term, anticipating that Battagram district and KP will take their full responsibility and ensure free and quality education for all children in the long term. We will follow implementation of the programme with special interest since security and stability are strategic policy priorities of the Netherlands for the coming years in Pakistan”.
At the end of his speech, he pointed out that he was looking forward to meeting again in Battagram or Allai Valley to see for himself concrete results in the field.
Admiring the efforts of ‘Save the Children’ and generous support of the embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Education Secretary Mushtaq Jadoon said, “We appreciate such collaborations and we are glad to focus our support on accelerating the country’s progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal relating to universal primary education”
At the event, giving a briefing about the programme, David Wright, the country director of ‘Save the children’ said; “We are grateful to the Kingdom of the Netherlands for their kind support and aim to present KP as a model province of Pakistan by working in close collaboration with the provincial government.
