Appeal from the Education Minister Giriraj Mani Pokharel:
Honorable Girirajmani Pokharel, Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal
The Ministry of Education and Technology had earlier requested that the Class 1 to 9 be conducted annual examination by 5th Chaitra to take necessary precautions due to the risk of infection and spread of coronavirus (Covid-19), which has been spreading globally since last month. After the completion of this exam, about 7 million school-aged children will be in the home family for about three weeks until the next academic session begins. All students are requested not to leave their homes for exams in this state of fear of infection, and to avoid crowds or public meetings in the name of cultural programs, annual parent day, publicity results, entrance examination or admission in view of the special circumstances of the country during this period.
This is the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) of 2076 years, conducted from 5th Chaitra to 17th Chaitra 2076 in 1995 examination centers across the country. A total of 4 lakh 82 thousand 219 students are enrolled in the exam. All preparations for conducting the exam have been completed and the students have reached the examination center. Basically, the SEE examination is managed by the province government. In the current transitional period, the federal and local governments are coordinating and facilitating this as needed.
After consultation and discussion with experts and education stakeholders in the health sector, the SEE examinations have been arranged and conducted according to the pre-determined timetable, based on the discussions and analysis of the High-Level Monitoring Committee constituted by the Hon'ble Deputy Prime Minister. To provide health support to the students at the examination centers, 753 local levels have been requested for the provision of health desk throughout the examination centers.
At the moment, Coronavirus has the responsibility of preventing infection and completing the SEE Examination in a psychological and fear-free environment. The Ministry has already been requested by the Ministry to take personal safety measures including washing hands, using masks, shaking hands with others, not going to the crowds, using soap. I urge all parents and the local community surrounding the examination center to avoid unnecessarily crowding the campus. In this regard, I would like to urge the local level and local administration to monitor and facilitate its implementation. I urge all students involved in the exam to follow the instructions given by the Head of the Central and Health Desk, and to participate in the examination in a dignified manner without fearing and frightening them personally.
Coronavirus (Covid-19) is currently being infected globally. The High-Level Monitoring Committee has decided not to issue a No Objection Letter (NOC) for students who want to study in countries where the infection is spread by April 30, 2020. For the purpose of filling the form for the entrance examination of MBBS and MD in India, and if Nepali students studying abroad want to change the subject or change the college, a provision has been issued for issuing a Notification Letter if their parents apply in Nepal. Regular monitoring and evaluation of the situation in favor of others will soon make the ministry committed to making this task comfortable.
In the past many disasters, we have the experience of schools and educational institutions working in a very sensible way at the local level. Corona's global transition is not the same as a pre-disaster plan. The safety and security of the students is our first priority and the Government of Nepal is serious about ensuring that the right of the child should be protected even in the midst of crisis. Therefore, the ministry is regularly analyzing the situation. In an unusual situation in this regard, the Ministry should take appropriate decisions in conjunction with the High-Level Committee, so I urge all to avoid unnecessary noise and rumor and fill in the official information of the Ministry and the concerned body.
Finally, I warmly appeal to all stakeholders, including students, teachers, principals, parents, security personnel, government agencies, media and journalists, political party cadres, various government bodies, academics, and professors, to contribute from their place in this heterogeneous situation.
Girirajmani Pokharel
(Minister of Education, Science, and Technology)
