Kathmandu— Nepal’s government is prioritizing the passage of a new School Education Bill, aiming to modernize and improve the country’s educational framework. Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel announced this commitment during a consultation seminar with stakeholders in Kathmandu on Wednesday, emphasizing transparency and inclusivity in the bill’s development. The initiative seeks to clarify roles and responsibilities across federal, provincial, and local government levels while allocating at least 20 percent of the national budget to education. The Ministry intends to incorporate feedback from concerned bodies into the final legislation.

Bill Formulation Process

Minister Pokharel stated that the process of formulating the Education Act will be transparent and participatory, ensuring all relevant suggestions are considered. He expressed a commitment to incorporating input from representatives of various educational organizations into both the bill itself and subsequent regulations. The Ministry organized a consultation seminar to facilitate this dialogue with stakeholders.

Decentralization and Funding

A key focus of the new legislation is establishing a clear division of powers and effective coordination between different levels of government – federal, provincial, and local. Minister Pokharel highlighted the importance of local involvement in education reforms and providing adequate resources for teachers and staff, noting that approximately 70 percent of the education budget is already allocated to local levels as grants. He cited Kathmandu Metropolitan City as a positive example of how local authorities can supplement employee remuneration through internal resource mobilization.

Addressing Systemic Weaknesses

Pokharel emphasized the need for collective acknowledgement and improvement of existing weaknesses within Nepal’s education system, calling on students, teachers, parents, and the government to work together. Shailendra Jha, Chief Advisor to the Minister of Education, presented findings from a nationwide consultation process called ‘Shiksha Sambad,’ conducted across all seven provinces. He expressed optimism that the School Education Act will be finalized with broad consensus before the upcoming winter session of parliament.

Key Provisions Under Consideration

Joint Secretary Shiva Kumar Sapkota indicated the new act would prioritize student and teacher welfare. Education expert Bidyanath Koirala stressed the importance of clarifying critical issues within the bill, including procedures for teacher registration, permanent appointment, promotion criteria, and school structure.

The Ministry aims to finalize the School Education Act with broad consensus before the winter session of parliament, paving the way for significant reforms in Nepal’s education system.

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.