Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed a Grant Agreement with the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance to implement activities of the Fourth Primary Education Development Program (PEDP4). The event is a significant milestone toward improving the country’s education system. The signing ceremony took place on December 19, 2024, at the NEC-2 Conference Room, Planning Commission Campus, Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Agargaon, Dhaka.
The signing agreement was attended by Iwama Kiminori, Ambassador, Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh; Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD), Ministry of Finance; and Ichiguchi Tomohide, Chief Representative, JICA Bangladesh.
Since the 1990s, the Bangladesh government has been working to enhance the quality of primary education through PEDP (Primary Education Development) and has attained impressive results over the years. However, the expansion of quality education continues to be a challenge; thus, in 2011, JICA and other development partners started supporting the government in the PEDP.
PEDP4 is a five-year program that aims to provide quality education to all children in Bangladesh from pre-primary to Grade 5 through an inclusive and equitable education system. The project started in July 2018 and will continue until June 2025, after two years of extension. JICA has been providing both technical and financial support to Bangladesh. JICA will provide Grant Assistance of 500 million Japanese Yen (BDT 37.8 Crore Approx) for PEDP4. Previously, JICA signed four agreements of 500 million Japanese Yen each for PEDP4.
JICA has provided technical support to Bangladesh for PEDP2 and PEDP3, mainly targeting improving the quality of primary mathematics and science education. For PEDP2, JICA Support Program 1 (JSP1) supported the development of the Teaching Packaging for primary mathematics and science. For PEDP3, JICA Support Program 2 (JSP2) upgraded the mathematics and science textbooks and teacher’s guides from Grade 1 to Grade 5. The JSP2 has also implemented a few teacher’s development courses by creating manuals and textbooks and advising and monitoring the course implementation.
JICA has provided 2,490 million Japanese Yen as a grant for the PEDP3. For PEDP4, JICA Support Program 3 (JSP3) and Education Advisor are working on the Strengthening Mathematics and Science in Primary Education Project.
Regarding the agreement, Ichiguchi Tomohide, Chief Representative, JICA Bangladesh, commented, “We have been partnered with Bangladesh since 1973, and from then onwards, we have been working towards accelerating economic growth and helping people overcome poverty. JICA is committed to building better cooperation to create a brighter future for Bangladesh. In regard to the commitment, we are again delighted to sign the agreement for the Grant Assistance of PEDP4. Through the project, we want to help the government develop an efficient, equitable, and inclusive primary education system and provide effective and relevant child-friendly learning. JICA will continue to help Bangladesh achieve sustainable development and improve the lives of the citizens.”
