Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel presented a transformative budget for the upcoming fiscal year in Parliament today, significantly emphasizing revolutionizing Nepal's education sector. The comprehensive plan, backed by a substantial allocation of Rs 211 billion for the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, targets modernization, equitable access, quality improvement, and aligning education with market demands. Here's a detailed look at the key education-related announcements.
1. Quality Education and Human Capital Development
The government has committed to developing capable, enterprising, and productive human capital. The education system will be made modern and technology-friendly to align with global standards and future needs.
2. Performance-Based Incentives for Schools
100 schools, at least one from each district, will be selected for performance-based incentive programs. These schools will receive NPR 25 lakh each and are expected to support neighboring schools in improving their academic outcomes.
3. School Restructuring and Teacher Management
Schools will be reorganized based on student numbers, geography, and transport accessibility. Some schools will be merged, and incentivized grants will be provided for these transitions. Teacher positions will be reassessed, and regular capacity-building training will be arranged.
4. Private Sector Engagement and Teacher Bank
The scope of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) will be extended to help improve school quality. Best practices from community and institutional schools will be scaled. A "Teacher Bank" will be established in collaboration with universities to address shortages in English, Science, and Math teachers. Graduate students will also be mobilized as volunteer teachers.
5. Education Grants and Decentralization
Conditional education grants will gradually be converted into equalization grants. Provinces will be empowered to manage and conduct Secondary Education Examinations.
6. Student Welfare Programs Expanded
- Midday Meal: NPR 10.19 billion allocated, benefiting 2.8 million students.
- Sanitary Pads: NPR 1.29 billion allocated to provide free sanitary pads to 1.3 million schoolgirls.
- Scholarships: NPR 2.44 billion allocated for targeted scholarships, especially for students from remote Himalayan regions and marginalized communities like Musahar, Dom, and Chamar.
- ECD Workers and School Staff: Their conditional grants have been increased, with NPR 10.16 billion allocated.
7. Digital & Inclusive Education
- Development of Nepal-centric learning systems.
- Introduction of virtual classrooms and a national digital learning portal.
- Hostels will be provided for students with disabilities.
- Private schools will also be brought under strict national monitoring frameworks.
8. Preserving Traditional Learning Systems
Curriculum and pedagogy in traditional institutions such as Gurukuls, Gumbas, and Madarasa will be protected and promoted for their unique contributions to education.
9. Infrastructure Development
- Capital grants will support infrastructure in schools with over 1500 students in the Terai, 1000 in the Hills, and 500 in the Himalayas.
- Ongoing construction of model schools will be completed.
- NPR 2.72 billion allocated for infrastructure development.
10. Higher Education Reforms
- A unified Higher Education Act will be introduced to harmonize university operations.
- Focus will shift to research-driven and market-aligned education to reduce outbound student migration.
- University departments and faculties will be restructured.
- Universities failing to implement academic calendars before the academic year will face funding cuts.
- University Grants Commission (UGC) will be restructured into a strong regulatory body.
11. Expansion of Specialized Universities
- Madan Bhandari University for Science & Technology infrastructure to be developed.
- Dasharathchand Health Sciences University to begin operations.
- Construction of Yogmaya Himalayan Ayurveda University to be initiated.
12. Internationalization of Higher Education
Foreign students will receive free visas for their entire academic duration, and their parents will get multiple-entry visas. This aims to attract more international students to Nepal.
13. Targeted Medical Scholarships
Scholarships will be tailored for poor, talented students from remote areas to meet workforce demands in Nepal’s public health system.
14. Medical College Development
NPR 560 million allocated for construction of medical colleges in Bardibas, Butwal, Surkhet, and Dadeldhura.
15. Expanding Technical Education & Skill Development
- Quotas will be increased in fields like medicine, engineering, IT, and nursing.
- Over 26,900 youths will be trained under CTEVT with courses longer than six months.
- Students finishing school will be encouraged to pursue technical, vocational, or university education.
- Skill-based training will be provided to non-university youth to promote entrepreneurship.
16. Model Technical Schools
Each province will upgrade one technical school into a model institution. Students from general schools with technical streams can use these facilities.
17. Work-Study Programs Introduced
A new “Earn While You Learn” program will allow youth to work 20 hours per week with minimum wages, based on the nature of public service tasks, to encourage entrepreneurial education.
18. Total Budget Allocation for Education
The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology has been allocated NPR 211 billion for the fiscal year 2082/83.
The 2082/83 budget clearly emphasizes inclusive, tech-forward, and performance-based reforms in Nepal’s education sector. With targeted investments in infrastructure, teacher development, and student welfare, the government has set a bold agenda to modernize and democratize education in the country.
