Since the formation of the current government, significant progress has been made in reforming the examination system, improving university governance, expanding digital services, and making public service delivery more efficient.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has prioritized making examinations at the secondary and university levels more timely, strengthening the No Objection Certificate (NOC) service for students pursuing higher education abroad, reducing political interference in universities, and expanding digital services.
According to the ministry's spokesperson, Shiva Kumar Sapkota, the publication of results for the Secondary Education Examination (SEE), Grade 12, and university examinations has become significantly faster than in previous years. Under the new timeline, SEE results will be published within one month of the completion of examinations, Grade 12 results within 40 days, and university examination results within 65 days.
These reforms have been implemented under the government's 100-point governance reform action plan. The plan requires universities and the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) to publish examination results within two months of the completion of examinations and to release undergraduate and postgraduate results according to the academic calendar.
To improve the efficiency of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) system, the ministry has integrated its platform with the data systems of Tribhuvan University and Kathmandu University through APIs. Preparations have also been completed to integrate the system with the National Identification Number (NIN) database. NOC issuance and educational certificate verification services are now available even on public holidays.
Focus on University Reform
The ministry has intensified efforts to eliminate political interference in universities. It plans to prohibit student organizations from occupying university buildings or land, remove political symbols from university premises, and introduce the "Student Council" and "Voice of Student" systems. The necessary guidelines for implementing these measures are currently in their final stage of preparation.
The ministry claims that academic calendars have now been implemented in nine universities.
During the past three months, the ministry issued 40,413 No Objection Certificates (NOCs), verified 12,210 educational certificates, and monitored educational institutions affiliated with 56 foreign universities. It also reported resolving all 212 grievances received through the Hello Sarkar public grievance system.
Action Against Misuse of Study Leave
Among approximately 400 professors of Tribhuvan University who failed to return after completing their approved study leave, around NPR 500 million has been recovered so far out of nearly NPR 2 billion that was due to be reimbursed to the government.
Reforms in School Education
The ministry has replaced traditional internal examinations for students up to Grade 5 with an alternative assessment system designed to reduce psychological pressure on children. It has also implemented a policy allowing children without birth registration certificates to enroll in schools based on verified records provided by local governments. The ministry is preparing to issue guidelines through the University Grants Commission (UGC) to ensure that students are not required to obtain citizenship certificates to pursue studies up to the bachelor's level.
Digital Services and Administrative Reforms
The ministry has advanced several administrative and digital initiatives, including the preparation of an e-pension card system for teachers, the final draft of the National School Education Quality Standards, implementation of regulations governing collaborative academic degree programs, and Business Process Reengineering (BPR) to improve service delivery. It has also initiated digital signature authentication, expanded the Government Integrated Office Management System (GIOMS), established a help desk for grievance management, and begun cataloguing and implementing recommendations made by various commissions.
Research, Budget, and Educational Policy Reforms
- The ministry has published Educational Information 2083 and completed a comprehensive review and policy analysis of research conducted by the ministry and its subordinate agencies.
- Reports from 560 undergraduate and six postgraduate scholarship recipients who returned after completing their studies abroad have been received and forwarded to the relevant authorities.
- The Medium-Term Expenditure Framework report has been submitted to the National Planning Commission, while budget ceilings received from the Ministry of Finance have been communicated to the concerned agencies.
- Equivalency certificates have been granted to 629 Grade 10 graduates and 1,003 Grade 12 graduates, bringing the total number of equivalency approvals to 1,632.
- To strengthen learning achievement assessments for Grades 3, 5, 8, and 10, the National Assessment Policy Guidelines are in the final stage of preparation, and a revised assessment framework has been developed.
- The final draft of the National School Education Quality Standards has also been completed. Meanwhile, the Medical Education Commission and the Policy Research Institute have signed an agreement to conduct research on the commission's jurisdiction, scholarship management, fee determination, and operational systems.
- Following the removal of most university officials who had been appointed through political processes, interim administrative arrangements have been put in place to ensure the continuity of daily operations. The selection of new office bearers through a transparent and competitive process is now in its final stage. Interviews and presentations for the appointment of vice-chancellors at eight universities began on Saturday.
Additionally, through technical education and vocational training centers, the ministry has launched targeted programs benefiting more than 76 individuals from families and communities affected by the Gen Z movement. These programs include employment support, skills development, psychosocial counselling, rehabilitation, and reintegration services.
According to spokesperson Shiva Kumar Sapkota, these initiatives are aimed at strengthening good governance in the education sector, improving service delivery, ensuring quality education, and making educational institutions more accountable.
