Minister of Education, Science, and Technology Sumana Shrestha has advocated for a more transparent and credible student enrollment process in schools. Minister Shrestha specifically addressed St. Xavier's, St. Mary's, and Budhanilkantha School, urging them to ensure transparency in their enrollment procedures.
During the announcement of enrollment invitations for the upcoming academic session, principals were summoned to the ministry. They were encouraged to bolster confidence in the methods and procedures adopted by schools for student enrollment, emphasizing merit-based selection criteria.
Minister Shrestha highlighted concerns raised by principals regarding alleged pressures from higher authorities, including the Prime Minister's office, influencing the enrollment process. Aakriti Ghimire, the Minister's personal secretary, reassured that enrollment decisions would be independent of undue influence and stressed the importance of coordination with local authorities.
Furthermore, Minister Shrestha underscored the need to prioritize enrollment access for disadvantaged students, emphasizing accessibility over influence. She cautioned against any misuse of authority or ministry names to exert pressure for enrollment.
In discussions, it was disclosed that St. Xavier's has been employing a lottery system for enrollment for the past four years, while St. Mary's has been conducting enrollments based on interactions with parents. On the other hand, Budhanilkantha has been determining enrollment eligibility through examinations.
Minister Shrestha emphasized the necessity of maintaining consistency in enrollment processes, particularly in the case of the lottery system, to enhance reliability and fairness across schools. The call for transparency and fairness in student enrollment reflects the Ministry's commitment to promoting equal educational opportunities for all.
