‘Book Free Friday’ and ‘Skill in Education’ to Be Implemented From Next Academic Session: Education Minister Pokharel
The government is preparing to implement the concepts of ‘Book Free Friday’ and ‘Skill in Education’ across the country from the next academic session with the aim of making school education more practical and skill-based.
Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel shared the information on Saturday during programs held at various schools in Siraha and Saptari as part of the collection of stakeholder suggestions for revising the National Curriculum Framework, 2076. Minister Pokharel said the programs are being introduced to connect students with practical knowledge, skills, and life-oriented education rather than limiting them only to textbooks.
He said a new curriculum would be developed with a focus on the needs of the new generation, changing times, technological development, and employment, and that the textbook printing process would move forward accordingly. He added that curriculum revision and broader education reform programs would be implemented effectively through coordination and facilitation among the federal, provincial, and local levels.
At the program, Shailendra Jha, Chief Adviser to the Education Minister, said stakeholder suggestions are being collected at the community level to make education relevant to the times, practical, and technology-friendly. Similarly, Mahendra Parajuli, Executive Director of the Curriculum Development Center, said necessary revisions would be made on the basis of the suggestions received and the new curriculum would be implemented effectively.
The Center has been collecting suggestions in the first phase since Bhadau 24 through interactions with students, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders in 28 districts across all seven provinces. The Center stated that the first-phase program will continue until Bhadau 30 and that suggestions will be collected from all 77 districts in the second phase.
Focus on Practical and Employment-Oriented Education: Province-Wise Suggestions
The main suggestions received from workshops conducted across all seven provinces for revising the National Curriculum Framework are as follows:
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Common suggestions: The curriculum should incorporate artificial intelligence (AI), information technology, moral education, life skills, and technical and vocational education. Students should not only be made proficient in using technology but should also develop the capacity to create technology.
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Koshi Province: Instead of repeatedly changing the curriculum, emphasis should be placed on effective implementation, and an adequate number of teachers should be arranged to implement the new curriculum.
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Madhesh Province: Subjects related to moral and Sanskrit education, AI, computer technology, climate change, ‘Green School’, technical education, and cyber security should be included in the curriculum.
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Bagmati Province: Priority should be given to Eastern philosophy, Sanskrit and moral education, local knowledge, skills and culture, as well as ‘Community Curriculum’ and ‘Nature Learning’.
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Gandaki Province: The curriculum should be made scientific and practical, with priority given to skill-based education, while the assessment system should be made disability-friendly.
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Karnali Province: The workforce likely to be required over the next 15 to 20 years should be projected, and the curriculum should be revised accordingly.
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Sudurpashchim Province: Instructional hours should be reduced, human values education should be prioritized, and the gap in subject content between Grades 10 and 11 should be narrowed.
