"Norwegian Government's Action Plan for Combating Poverty in the South towards 2015" states that "Education is the most important weapon in the fight against poverty". It has been defined as a goal for Norwegian development cooperation to gradually increase the allocation to the education sector to 15 % of the total development budget. NORAD's annual report for 2001 states that "Education is a prerequisite for development in every area. NORAD is particularly concerned to support primary education, where the goal is to ensure that more children, particularly girls, complete their education."
Norway's support to the education sector is preferably channelled through sector programmes, in cooperation with other donors. Other approaches had then to be identified when education in 2001 was identified as main priority area for Norwegian development cooperation this country. Interaction with the Government at various administrative levels and possible co-funding with other donors has been guiding principles. Also, a geographical focus has been kept in mind, and priority should be given to primary education, with particular emphasis on girls' education.
For the coming 5 years the following programmes/projects have been identified for Norwegian support:
Universal Quality Primary Education in 6 Districts in Punjab, funded through UNICEF
Assistance to the Establishment of 350 Community Schools in Hard to Reach Federally Administered Tribal Areas with assistance from the Norwegian Government
NORAD Cooperation for Basic Education in NWFP
Norway would particularly consider the following criteria and areas of interest when possible further cooperation is assessed:
Development of provincial education sector programmes
Community based schools
Quality of education
Strategic policy interventions
Capacity building of implementing institutions
Country specific information on cooperation in higher education and research
On behalf of NORAD, the Norwegian centre for international cooperation in higher education (SIU) has developed an Internet-portal concerning higher education and research adapted to 19 of the Norwegian embassies in the South. With these pages we hope to make information regarding higher education and research in Norway, and its partner partner countries and institutions in the South more accessible.
The portal contains information about programmes and projects in the are of higher education and research, individual scholarship programmes, as well as editorial content and useful links. The information is guided towards embassy personnell, public and private institutions of higher education, future students and academics, as well as government officials and policy makers.
Royal Norwegian Embassy, H 25, Str. 19, F 6/2, Islamabad, Pakistan. Mailing address: P.O. Box 1336, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Tel: +92 51 227 9720/21/22/23/24. Fax: +92 51 227 9726/29. E-mail: emb.islamabad@mfa.no