Parliamentary Committee Finalizes School Education Bill Provisions
The Education, Health, and Information Technology Committee of the House of Representatives has reached consensus on most provisions of the School Education Bill.
The subcommittee, led by CPN-UML MP Chhabilal Bishwakarma, held detailed discussions on several topics. Some issues were deemed appropriate for final decision at the full committee level, where consensus has now been achieved.
Private Investment Schools
The committee has opened the path for establishing and operating schools under the Company Act. Until now, the Eighth Amendment to the Education Act only allowed school operation under the educational trust model.
MPs had lobbied to bring existing schools registered under the Company Act into the educational trust model, with many proposing time-bound transitions. However, the government opted to offer incentives instead of mandating the conversion.
Incentives include:
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Exemption on land registration fees
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Customs duty waiver on vehicles for school use
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Customs exemptions on educational and lab equipment
This makes the transition voluntary. The bill will now include provisions requiring private schools to operate as service-oriented, welfare-based, and progressively non-profit institutions.
If a school under an educational trust reaches the phase of dissolution, its assets will be acquired by the state. Due to this, many private investors have been hesitant to enter the trust model.
Two-Year Early Childhood Development (ECD) Education
It has been agreed that children must complete two years of Early Childhood Development (ECD) education before enrolling in Grade 1.
The committee has interpreted education from ECD to Grade 8 as basic education, aligning with the Constitution, which mandates basic education as compulsory.
Schools must obtain permission from local governments to operate ECD classes. Each school will be required to run one ECD center, based on national standards. However, public schools will not immediately implement the two-year model.
Currently, ECD is a one-year program. Public schools will adopt the two-year system from a government-specified date. Private schools, which currently run three-year programs (nursery, LKG, UKG), will need to reduce this to two years.
No school will be allowed to operate pre-primary education for more than two years. Schools that run four-year programs (including playgroups) must also comply.
Even if a student lacks prior ECD experience, schools cannot deny admission into Grade 1.
Those currently working as ECD facilitators in government programs will now be eligible to compete in Teachers Service Commission exams, with no age limit. However, new ECD facilitators must have passed Grade 12. Previously, SEE graduates could qualify.
Laws regarding ECD facilitators’ pay, service conditions, and benefits will be framed by local governments, but salaries cannot be lower than national labor standards.
Before entering service, new facilitators must undergo training. Some MPs have also demanded provisions for career development for ECD facilitators.
The government initially cited budget constraints for two-year ECD implementation. A compromise has been reached to ensure the model will be implemented once resources are secured.
The government had proposed basic education as Grades 1 to 8 only. However, MPs insisted that ECD be included as well, and the government accepted this position.
SEE to be Conducted at Provincial Level
The committee has agreed that the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) will be conducted by the provinces after Grade 10.
The government had initially proposed local governments conduct exams at Grade 8, and the National Examinations Board conduct exams only at Grade 12. However, MPs insisted that SEE must remain at the 10th grade level.
Periodic Promotions for Teachers
To address teacher demands, the committee agreed to introduce periodic promotions.
Teachers will now be eligible for promotion from:
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Third to Second Class after 10 years
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Second to First Class after 12 years
Previously, the subcommittee proposed 12 years and 15 years of service, respectively. This has been reduced following discussions.
Mandatory License and Refresher Training
Prospective teachers must now obtain a license from the Teachers Service Commission.
No one will be allowed to teach without this teaching license. However, candidates without a license can still sit for the Commission’s examination.
Once appointed, unlicensed candidates must complete teacher methodology training. Those who studied in education faculties will be exempt.
The committee has added mandatory refresher training every 5 years or after curriculum changes.
90% Score Needed for Promotion
Teachers must now score 90% in performance evaluations to qualify for promotion.
Of this:
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60% will be self-assessed
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25% will come from supervisors
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10% from reviewers
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5% from the review committee
In contrast, federal civil servants require 95%. This represents a more flexible model for teachers.
Pension for Temporary Service
Teachers appointed before the end of Chaitra 2075 who do not meet the required years for pension will now have their temporary service period counted.
Example:
If a teacher served from 2055 as temporary and became permanent before 2075 but retired with less than 10 years of permanent service, the remaining needed years will be counted from their temporary service to qualify for pension.
District-Level Coordination Units Under Provinces
The committee has agreed to establish coordination units in each district to handle educational functions under the province.
These units will not have executive powers such as transfer, promotion, or disciplinary action. Their roles will focus on exam management and monitoring.
Granting executive powers could violate federal principles and risk protest from provinces and local governments.
Placement in Suitable Locations After Adjustment
Once the new law is enacted, all teachers will be placed in suitable locations under the teacher adjustment program.
Since all teachers are currently under the federal system, placement at the local level will be done accordingly. Transfers will follow a rotational system, allowing local transfers every 5 years.
Merging Schools and Reducing Grants
Local governments will have authority to merge schools but must follow national standards.
The Educational Quality Authority will evaluate school performance and may recommend:
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Mergers
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Level reductions
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Reorganization
If local governments fail to implement such recommendations, grants may be cut.
The subcommittee has empowered local governments to:
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Transfer schools
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Merge schools
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Reduce or close grades and levels
These decisions must be based on reports considering geography and population.
Pre-conditions for merging schools:
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For basic schools: within 2 km or 30 minutes walking distance
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For secondary schools: within 5 km or 1 hour walking distance
If infrastructure is lacking, or to operate large or residential schools, local governments may proceed accordingly.
A large school is defined as having at least 2,000 students. Geographical challenges must also be considered. Schools nearby may split responsibilities: one for basic, another for secondary level.
Final Steps Pending
Although the committee has agreed on most topics, the final report is yet to be endorsed.
Some MPs believe ECD facilitators should be recognized as teachers and be provided a pathway for career development. This point remains under discussion.
Once approved, the bill will go to the House of Representatives, then to the National Assembly. Following deliberation and approval, it will return to the House, where the Speaker will verify and forward it to the President.
The bill will gain legal status once certified by the President and published in the Nepal Gazette.
