Govt pursuing long-term education reforms

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, July 25: Minister for Education and Sports, Sasmit Pokharel, has said that the government is pursuing long-term reforms to strengthen the country's education sector, even if some of its decisions may appear unpopular at the moment. 

Speaking at a discussion with education journalists on Friday, Minister Pokharel said the School Education Bill was in the process of being finalised from previous parliament. The delay in it is happening as the government is preparing to bring the legislation according to the advancement of technology with the motive to make it relatable for up to next 50 years. 

"The long-term issues related to teacher staffing will now be addressed through the Education Bill. We will bring the bill soon, but we will not rush it. We are preparing it not just for the next one or two years, but with a vision for the next 30 to 50 years."

The government will try to include the issues of students in the bill which are unheard till now, Minister said.

Previously, the School Education Bill, 2080, which was intended to amend and consolidate the laws relating to school education and had been stalled for years, was on the verge of being enacted. 

However, following the Gen Z movement, the dissolution of the House of Representatives caused the bill to lapse before it could be passed.

Talking about two-day holiday in a week, Minister Pokharel said Saturday-Sunday weekend policy will give positive results in the future.

"I know that making Saturday and Sunday weekend is an unpopular decision at the moment. However, in the long-run, it will improve productivity as well as address issues related to mental health." 

For the better result of the decision, private sector also needs to adopt two-day weekend, he noted. 

Responding to the questions about ongoing hunger strike of Dr. Govinda KC, he said the ministry is taking Dr. KC's demands seriously which will be addressed soon.

Minister Pokharel said he is a great admirer of Dr. KC as he has made tremendous efforts to reform the medical education sector.

Medical education reform campaigner Dr. Govinda KC has once again begun his hunger strike, this time from Dhangadhi.

Meanwhile, Minister Pokharel said that the government will not backtrack on the provision requiring educational consultancies to maintain a security deposit of Rs 2.5 million.

Pokharel clarified that the provision introduced through the Educational Consultancy, Language Instruction, and Preparatory Classes Operation and Management Regulations, 2083 would not be withdrawn. He added that the measure had been formulated based on suggestions from some stakeholders within the consultancy sector itself.

During the same discussion, Minister Pokharel also addressed the issue of teacher transfer, stating that the education regulations cannot be amended immediately. "Teachers are required to serve at their current school for at least three years," he said.