Kathmandu May 28, 2020 - The Government of Nepal has appropriated a budget of Rs. 172.19 billion - 11.64 percent of the Rs 1,474.64 billion national budget for education sector for the upcoming fiscal year. Although the education sector received Rs 8 billion more than last year, the bulk of the budget will be spent on salaries, and the remaining small percentage can’t improve the quality of education and upgrade community schools.
The budget was unveiled in the federal parliament by Finance Minister Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada on Thursday. The government also suggested some measures that would facilitate the tectonic shift in the educational system in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
Major Highlights In Education:
Physical Infrastructure
FM Khatiwada allocated Rs 6 billion for the President Educational Reform Program to build well-equipped classrooms, computer labs, teacher training, playgrounds, laboratories, and other educational infrastructure and other quality improvement programs.
1,800 school buildings and 38 campus buildings will be rebuilt. Similarly, 2,520 classrooms and 11,000 science laboratories and computer labs will be constructed. Madrasa, Gurukul, and Gumba's education will also be brought into the mainstream of modern education.
Technical Education / Apprenticeship Courses
Adopting the concept of one technical school at one local level, one technical school will be run at all local levels next year. 607 technical schools have come into operation at the local level so far.
The government will provide Income-generating opportunities to the students studying in various technical schools. Rs. 4.3 billion will be spent to provide technical education and skill-based training to 75,000 youths. Similarly, internship opportunities will be provided to the students studying in the Agriculture Campus.
Higher Education
A budget of Rs. 17.43 billion has been allocated to provide grants through the University Grants Commission. All Tribhuvan University affiliated community campuses of Karnali and Far-West provinces offering engineering and agriculture will be made constituent. Similarly, Rs 1.25 billion will be spent on infrastructure development of Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology.
The government is going to establish a tourism university as an effort to revive the tourism business that is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Geta Medical College in Kailali will be operational from next year. A research center for sickle cell amnia will be set up at the college. A budget of Rs 1.17 billion has been allocated for the infrastructure development of Geta Medical College as well as the medical colleges of Butwal, Surkhet, and Bardibas.
Virtual Classes
Considering the impact of COVID-19 on education, online education/ virtual classes will be promoted. The government also decided to conduct the new academic session through distance learning.
Textbooks
Rs 2.76 billion will be spent on the required textbooks for 4.6 million students. The government has allocated a budget of Rs 2.76 billion for colored textbooks. Similarly, the government will provide Braille textbooks free of cost.
Volunteer teachers
A budget of Rs. 2.23 billion has been allocated to appoint 6,000 volunteer teachers of Science, Math, and English subjects in schools with high student-teacher ratio.
Mid-Day meal
The mid-day meal program implemented in 43 districts will be extended to all 77 districts. A budget of Rs. 7.52 billion has been allocated for an extended mid-day meal program targeting 2.8 million students.
Scholarships
Both need-based and merit-based scholarships will be offered to students in an integrated manner. A budget of Rs. 2.70 billion has been allocated targeting 2.6 million students.
Forensic science laboratories
In line with the government's goal of setting up forensic science laboratories in all the provinces, the laboratories will be set up within two years.
Literacy Campaign
Basic education will be ensured by enrolling all school-age children in schools. Similarly, the literacy campaign will be launched in 24 districts where the literacy rate is below cent percent with the target of declaring a fully 'Literate Nepal'.
Others
A conditional grant of Rs. 1.82 billion has been allocated to provide free sanitary pads to 1.34 million female students. The government is going to run a program for the improvement of child development centers in coordination with local levels. Similarly, Rs 3 billion has been allocated for child protection targeting Dalit and the children of the Karnali region. Madrasa, Gurukul, and Gumba's education will also be brought into the mainstream of modern education.
