Minister Pant Calls for Greater Focus on Public Education
Education, Science, and Technology Minister Raghuji Pant has stressed that the state must give more attention and funding to public education.
He made this remark during a meeting of the Education, Health, and Information Technology Committee under the House of Representatives, held on Thursday at Singha Durbar. The committee had gathered to discuss the report submitted by the sub-committee regarding the School Education Bill.
Lack of Alternatives May Lead to Capital and Talent Leaving the Country
Minister Pant pointed out a growing concern: if families willing to pay for private education are not offered any alternatives within the country, both financial resources and skilled people may start moving abroad.
He clarified that the government has not stepped back from its duty to ensure free and compulsory education. According to him, such education should be directed toward those who truly need it.
State’s Priority Should Be Strengthening Public Schools
Pant emphasized that if private schools are to be handed over as educational trusts (guthis), the state should consider offering them necessary flexibility. However, public schools must remain the central focus of the government’s attention and support.
He added that the state needs to work seriously on improving the quality of public education rather than barring private institutions altogether.
Remarks by Minister Pant
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“If we don’t offer a suitable choice to those who say, ‘I’ll pay to study,’ we risk losing both capital and human resources.”
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“This doesn’t mean the government has abandoned free and compulsory education—it hasn’t.”
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“That education is meant for those who genuinely need it. The state should provide it where it’s truly required.”
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“Even if a billionaire’s child wants to study in a public school, there’s no reason to stop them. It should be open to everyone.”
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“If private schools wish to operate under guthi systems, let’s allow that. But the state must focus on improving public schools.”
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“Instead of sidelining private players, we must work to make public education better in every way.”
Minister Pant concluded by saying that the government is not trying to shut out the private sector. What matters now, he noted, is raising the overall standard of public schools across the country.
