Education, Science, and Technology Minister Ashok Kumar Rai disclosed that the primary responsibility for school education has been delegated to local levels during the inauguration ceremony of the Silver Jubilee, addressing the Education Journalists Group. Responding to participant queries, he acknowledged challenges in promptly implementing the Education Act, citing issues like school indiscipline, teacher dissatisfaction, and incomplete infrastructure development as persistent concerns.
Minister Rai underscored the necessity of addressing problems such as indiscipline in schools, teachers' dissatisfaction, and incomplete infrastructure construction after implementing the Education Act. Despite a stipulated minimum investment requirement of 20% in education, the current allocation stands at 11%, posing a challenge due to insufficient funds to meet the substantial expenses outlined in the act. Minister Rai admitted to inadequate allocations for robust education support.
During the Rajat Jayanti event, Minister Rai emphasized that the School Education Bill has granted authority to local bodies within their jurisdiction. He stressed the importance of careful consideration and discussions to ensure the effective implementation of the constitutional provision placing school education under the authority of local bodies.
The Minister mentioned that following the passage of the School Education Bill in the Winter Assembly, the government is advancing preparations for implementation after approval from the National Assembly. Although he presented a plan to integrate digital facilities into the education system, the proposal faced criticism from the Education Committee, acknowledged by Minister Rai.
The proposed School Education Bill and related issues were deliberated in a parliamentary committee meeting. Committee chairperson Bhannubhakta Joshi expressed concerns about the challenges posed by the involvement of federal, provincial, and local levels in the authority over school education, deeming the current bill complex and requiring thorough examination. Education Committee member Badri Paudel indicated that significant amendments are needed to implement the proposed School Education Bill effectively, expressing hope that complexities could be resolved over time.
Tilakram Lamsal from Thakurbaba municipality of Bardiya asserted that the city could run schools, contrary to some people's views. He noted a perceived political bias at the regional level among ordinary teachers and suggested that government support for teachers should be aligned with improved student learning.
Mahashram Sharma, the chairman of the National Examination Board, stressed the crucial role of local governments in enhancing education quality but pointed out the lack of clear responsibilities in the current context. Professor Dr. Vidhya Nath Koitala conveyed best wishes for the Rajat Jayanti and expressed concern over the extensive documentation burden on teachers working in various locations. He urged collaboration between schools, municipalities, and the government to create a more conducive environment for educational activities.
Gunraj Moktan, the School Management Committee Association president, questioned the effectiveness of those claiming improvements and criticized the government's attention to the education sector. He highlighted the discrepancy between the 27,000 schools in the country and the lack of a teacher quota, emphasizing the need for proper recognition of community contributions.
