An agreement on support to Expanded Basic Education Programme (EBEP), Phase II, 2006-2010 with a total amount of Swedish Kronor (SEK) 188.7 million (approx. USD 24 million) will be signed on 26 April 2006 by Sida, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MoEYS) for the Government of Cambodia.

This follows the implementation agreement signed by Sida and UNICEF on 7th March 2006 to implement and follow-up the programme together with the MoEYS.

The objectives of the programme are to improve capacities to manage and coordinate education sector reforms with decreasing external technical assistance, to improve equitable access and quality of basic education in six provinces and to expand early learning opportunities for young children.

Sweden has in the past provided a total of USD 34.5 million in support of the education sector. This Expanded Basic Education Programme is a continuation of a long-term Swedish assistance to basic education in Cambodia.