Education, Science, and Technology Minister's Commitment to Education Reforms

Education, Science, and Technology Minister's Commitment to Education Reforms

Education, Science, and Technology Minister Bidya Bhattarai has announced initiatives to align the Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2075, with the School Education Bill, 2080. This alignment aims to enhance the implementation of educational policies in Nepal.

Framework for Implementation

During a recent meeting of the House of Representatives Committee on Education, Health, and Information Technology, Minister Bhattarai emphasized the urgency of implementing the Free and Compulsory Education Act. She assured that a detailed framework would be prepared within a month. This act was introduced to enforce the fundamental rights guaranteed by Nepal's Constitution. Currently, the School Education Bill, registered on Bhadra 27, is under review by the House of Representatives.

Addressing Educational Challenges

Minister Bhattarai, in her first participation in the subject committee's meeting since her appointment on Asar 31, pledged to conduct systematic reviews of the curriculum, examination processes, and other educational aspects. These reviews will be based on suggestions from members of parliament. She highlighted her dedication to collaborating with the parliament to address the challenges faced by the education sector.

Tackling Low Pass Rates in SEE

Addressing the concern of low pass rates in the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) for class 10, Minister Bhattarai expressed her determination to improve the situation. She is actively working on organizing supplementary exams and implementing effective annual calendars in universities to ensure timely and efficient educational processes.

Parliamentary Suggestions

In the meeting, parliament members proposed several recommendations:

• Teachers should be made aware of their duties and rights.
• Position alignments should be considered.
• The low pass rates in SEE should be thoroughly studied.
• Priority should be given to mother tongue education.
• Issues raised during teachers' and employees' movements need to be addressed.

Amendments to the School Education Bill, 2080

Eight parliamentarians presented amendments to the School Education Bill, 2080, during the meeting. These parliamentarians included:

• Basudev Ghimire
• Amritlal Rajbanshi
• Achyut Prasad Mainali
• Bijula Rayamajhi
• Bina Lama
• Ranjukumari Jha
• Pratiksha Tiwari
• Shanti Shrestha

Moving Forward

A total of 151 parliamentarians have submitted 1,782 amendments to the bill. Discussions with 18 amendment presenters have already been completed. Committee Chairman Ambar Bahadur Thapa emphasized the commitment to passing the School Education Bill swiftly through continuous discussions.