Kathmandu, May 6
Education leaders, policymakers, and advocates convened at a dialogue organized by the Nepali Congress Central Education Department on Monday, calling for urgent reforms to address Nepal’s growing student migration crisis and improve the accessibility and quality of domestic education.
The discussion, titled “Foreign Education Experience and Nepal’s Education Policy: Dialogue and Possibilities,” highlighted systemic challenges driving students abroad. Nepali Congress Central Committee member Umesh Jung Rayamajhi stressed that Nepal’s prosperity hinges on equitable access to education and healthcare. “We must prioritize utilizing forest lands to build educational infrastructure and ensure no child is left behind,” he asserted.
Prof. Dr. Tirtha Raj Khaniya, former Vice-Chancellor of Tribhuvan University, critiqued the absence of coherent higher education policies. “Foreign nations like Australia and Japan are recruiting Nepali students to fill their own gaps—Australia for its labor needs and Japan to repopulate vacant homes as their diaspora stays abroad,” he explained. Japan now ranks as the second-most popular destination for Nepali students, driven by demographic declines.
Echoing calls for reform, former Vice-Chancellor of Far-Western University Prof. Dr. Amma Raj Joshi emphasized leveraging digital tools. “Educational institutions must adopt policies that make learning appealing, including internet-based education to reach remote communities,” he said. Prof. Silu Bajracharya, Vice-Chancellor of Nepal Open University, advocated for a research-focused system, stating, “Theoretical knowledge alone isn’t enough; practical skills must be integrated to elevate quality.”
Dinesh Tripathi, Senior Advocate, drew parallels to Singapore’s transformation under Lee Kuan Yew. “Education is Nepal’s backbone, yet it remains neglected. Strategic investments in quality can drive national progress,” he argued.
Concerns over student welfare abroad were underscored by Kul Acharya, former President of the Non-Resident Nepali Association, who shared his experience repatriating the bodies of 29 Nepalis from the UK. “The suffering of students overseas is immense—this exodus must be addressed with empathy and action,” he urged.
Educationist Bidya Nath Koirala proposed tapping into Nepal’s diaspora. “We must create incentives for Non-Resident Nepalis to return with their expertise, technology, and resources,” he said. Meanwhile, Suprabhat Bhandari, President of the Guardians’ Association, stressed improving teaching environments in community schools.
Nain Singh Mahara, Coordinator of the Nepali Congress Central Education Department, concluded the event by stressing the need to “diagnose the root causes of Nepal’s education crisis” through collaborative policy action.
As stakeholders push for systemic reforms, the dialogue signals a growing consensus: retaining Nepal’s youth demands urgent investment in accessible, practical, and policy-driven education.
