New Bill Proposes Changes in Secondary Education Structure in Nepal

The latest development in the education sector of Nepal sees the proposal of the School Education Bill that aims to restructure the existing secondary education system. If passed, it would mark a significant change in the way examinations are conducted in schools across the country.

Revamping the School Structure

According to the new bill, the school structure would continue to be divided into two levels - the basic level comprising classes 1 to 8, and the secondary level including classes 9 to 12.

The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology plans to delegate the power to conduct the final examination of the basic level (class 8) to the local level. The authority to administer the final examination of the secondary level (class 12) would be handed over to the National Examination Board.

Abolishing the Secondary Education Examination (SEE)

The School Education Bill puts forward a significant proposition - the abolishment of the Secondary Education Examination (SEE), a crucial part of the education system in Nepal since 1990 BS. Originally called the SLC exam, it was renamed to SEE in 2073 BS.

Under the new proposal, the responsibility to conduct the examination for class 10 would be transferred to the respective schools themselves. This transformative change is expected to usher in a new era in the realm of secondary education in Nepal.

This potential shift from a central examination body to individual schools handling their final exams is indeed a substantial development. It will be intriguing to observe how this change impacts the overall quality and standard of education in the country.

Overall, the proposal of the School Education Bill marks a momentous time for the education sector in Nepal. With the potential to significantly modify the existing examination structure, it could redefine the secondary education landscape. However, it's important to remember that the bill still awaits approval from the Federal Parliament, and these changes are proposed, not final.

Continued discussion and analysis of this bill's potential effects on students, teachers, schools, and the overall education system in Nepal are necessary. The country eagerly awaits the decision of the Federal Parliament on this proposed change.

Published on 4th August 2023

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