Amendment Process for the School Education Bill Approved

Kathmandu, 10 October 2023 - Progress has been made regarding the school education bill as it gains approval for the amendment process. The motion was set into play following a session on Friday, October 6, 2023, where the Minister of Education, Science, and Technology, Ashok Kumar Rai, addressed the queries raised, leading the House to green-light the bill's amendment registration process.

A Timeline of Events

The registration bill, which faced delays due to content disagreements, was presented to the assembly on September 13, 2023. Friday's theoretical discussion saw participation from 85 members. With the discussion extending, Speaker Devraj Ghimire scheduled the bill's response for the following Sunday.

Minister Rai's Responses

During his address, Minister Rai stressed the emphasis on the teachers' consensus and the direction of school education reforms. He spoke of the accord reached with the Nepal Teachers' Federation and appealed for an amendment based on their consensus.

Furthermore, the Minister highlighted the necessity of intertwining the bill with high-quality education. He stressed on an updated curriculum that tackles contemporary subjects. Minister Rai voiced the intention of granting more autonomy to agencies like the National Examination Board and Teacher Service Commission, underlining the shift of the education office's jurisdiction to the state level. However, this proposal faced criticism from parliamentarians, who viewed it as contradictory to the essence of federalism and the constitutionally endowed education rights of the local level.

On the Horizon

As the House dives into the amendment process, Minister Rai conveyed optimism that it would accommodate the perspectives of the teachers' federation. He reiterated that the government would prioritize the federation's agreement and quality education's structural outline during the bill's revision.