Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Tuesday, 4 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 May 2004. It was answered by Gareth Thomas (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 May 2004 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what representations he has received about the activity of girls in Nepal highlighting the problems of school attendance, alcohol consumption and smoking.

Answer: Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has received about the activity of girls in Nepal highlighting the problems of school attendance, alcohol consumption and smoking. [171696] Mr. Gareth Thomas: Girls' education and school attendance in Nepal is a serious challenge. Around 25 per cent. of girls of primary school age are out of school, and only 3.25 per cent. of fully trained teachers are female. With other donors, DFID is planning to help the Government implement their Education for All basic and primary education programme. The main aim of the programme will be get an additional 477,000 children into school by 2009. Particular attention will be paid to recruiting more female teachers, and using block grants and other incentive measures to encourage schools to increase enrolment of girls. With regards to alcohol consumption and smoking, data on girls in Nepal is very thin and DFID is not actively involved in this area.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 421 c235-6W; 171696
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Alcoholic drinks Attendance Education Pupils Misuse Smoking Nepal Girls
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk