The Ministry of Education has formulated directives to clearly define various aspects, besides the legal provisions, related to fee determination and criteria for community schools in the country. Based on rule 192 (e) of regulation 2059, the ministry has mentioned the following minimum criteria for school fee determination.
- Each school must ensure the availability of educational opportunities that meet the minimum quality standards.
- Schools currently in operation must be provided the necessary academic support, teacher facilities, and management support to meet or exceed these standards.
- Schools currently in operation must meet the specified minimum standards within three years. If a school is unable to meet the standards even after that period, necessary action will be taken against the school based on prevailing law and regulations.
- The minimum school standards and the process of implementation shall be as determined as follows.
A. School Operation and Staff Management
| SN | Criteria | Standard |
| 1 | School Operation Mechanism | All activities of the school must be conducted within the framework of the Education Act, Education Regulations, Institutional School Standards and Operation Directives, and School Regulations. |
| 2 | Types of Human Resources | The school must have the required number of teachers, including one head teacher, and administrative support staff in their designated positions. |
| 3 | Number of Teachers | There should be a teacher-student ratio of 1:40 in grades 1-5. The teacher-student ratio should not be more than 1:22 based on the number of students. |
| 4 | Minimum Qualification of Teachers | The minimum qualification of teachers must be as per the Teachers Service Commission Regulations, 2057 (BS). Details of the appointment letter must be updated in the District Education Office. |
| 5 | Permanent Appointment | Teachers must be appointed in accordance with Rule 107 (Ka) of the Education Regulations, 2059 (BS), under the School Regulations. |
| 6 | Salary and Allowances of Teachers and Staff | Teachers and staff working under government grants must have their salaries and allowances paid according to the government-approved scale through bank accounts with easy access to banking facilities. |
| 7 | Student Counseling Room | There must be a provision for a student counseling room to provide necessary counseling to address the psychological problems of students. |
B. Learning Facility Arrangement | ||
| SN | Criteria | Standard |
| 8 | Land and Building Ownership | The school must have land and a building registered in its own name or have a valid lease agreement for at least 5 years for the land and/or building. After 5 years, there must be a plan prepared for investing in the school's own land and/or building. |
| 9 | Land Area | The school premises must have sufficient land for all students to assemble at once, conduct assembly programs, and play outdoor games comfortably. |
| 10 | School Building Condition | The school building must be safe, clean, well-maintained, and have proper ventilation. |
| 11 | Classroom Student Capacity | There should be a minimum of 22 and a maximum of 45 students in each class. The average number of students should be 33 per class. |
| 12 | Classroom Size | Each classroom should be sized to provide at least 1.0 square meters per student in basic level classes and 1.2 square meters per student in secondary level classes, accommodating both core and optional subjects. The classrooms should have adequate light and ventilation. |
| 13 | Height of the Room | When constructing buildings on its own land, the school should have a minimum room height of 8 feet in the hilly region, 9 feet in the valley, and 10 feet in the Terai region. |
| 14 | Quality of Building | The building must be constructed according to the standards set by the authority, ensuring earthquake resistance. Each classroom should be well-lit and ventilated. |
| 15 | Administrative and Utility Room | There should be arrangements for the principal’s office, teachers' common room, administrative office, accounts section, library and reading room, storeroom, and utility rooms. |
| 16 | Drinking Water Arrangement | There should be arrangements for safe and clean drinking water. Separate water taps and drinking water systems should be available. |
| 17 | Toilet and Cleanliness Arrangement | Toilets with sufficient water supply and proper sanitation must be available for students and staff. |
| 18 | Furniture | Appropriate and comfortable furniture should be available for students and teachers. A ratio of 1:2 (one desk and bench for two students) must be maintained, with separate desks for teachers. |
| 19 | Fire Extinguisher | Fire extinguishers must be installed in classrooms and buildings as per required safety standards and should be readily available at all times. |
| 20 | Computer Facility | There must be one computer per student for practical use. To teach computer subjects and develop computer literacy among all students, the computer lab should be equipped with computers, printers, LCD projectors, etc. |
| 21 | Laboratory | For science-related practicals and vocational subjects, there must be well-equipped laboratories available for students. |
| 22 | Library | A library should be available in the school with sufficient subject-related resources for all classes, for use by both teachers and students. |
| 23 | First-aid room | There should be a first-aid room with medicine, equipment, and health workers for the general health check-up of students and teachers. |
C. Education Teaching and Evaluation Criteria | ||
| SN | Criteria | Standard |
| 24 | Curriculum | The curriculum approved by the Government of Nepal, Ministry of Education, should be implemented. |
| 25 | Textbook | The subject-wise textbook issued and approved by the Curriculum Development Center should be implemented. |
| 26 | Additional text materials (reference materials) | Materials approved by the Curriculum Development Center as additional text materials should be used. When using additional text materials, the age and maturity level of the students, as well as psychological aspects, should be considered in their selection. |
| 27 | Teacher support materials | Subject-wise prepared support materials (teachers' guide book) should be available for teachers. |
| 28 | Annual teaching-learning calendar | Following the curriculum framework, an annual teaching-learning calendar of 220 working days and 192 clear teaching days should be implemented. |
| 29. | Classroom Examination | According to the curriculum, subject teachers prepare and conduct monthly, half-yearly, and annual examinations for each subject within the school, utilizing both formative and summative types of evaluation tools. |
| 30 | Basic Level Passing Examination (Grade 8 District Level Examination) | As per the decision of the Lower Secondary Education Examination Committee, the District Education Office should conduct the final examination of the basic level (up to Grade 8). |
| 31 | Learning Achievement Test for Grades 3 and 5 | Each school should conduct the annual examination by the end of Chaitra (mid-April). Within one month, the learning achievement test for grades 3 and 5 will be conducted at the center, either in a sample format or including all students. |
| 32 | Students will be made to participate in this learning achievement test | Each school should complete the publication of the annual examination results and compulsorily provide academic certificates to all students, as well as mandatory transfer certificates to students leaving the school to go elsewhere. |
Note: The criteria for residential facilities while operating schools will be as specified in the Institutional School Criteria and Operation Directives.
