Education Must Prepare Students for Future Challenges: President Paudel

President Ram Chandra Paudel has said Nepal's education system must prepare students not only for present needs but also for the challenges and opportunities they will face in the future.

Addressing a ceremony on Saturday marking the entry of Pashupati Mitra Secondary School into its 80th year and its Diamond Jubilee celebration–2083, President Paudel stressed that the nature and objectives of education must evolve in response to changes taking place around the world.

He said rapid advances in science, technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and communication are changing both the nature and requirements of education. As technology becomes increasingly powerful, the need for human judgment and sensitivity also grows. He therefore emphasized that humanity, tolerance, social harmony, and responsibility toward the nation must remain central to education alongside modern knowledge and skills.

President Paudel described schools as fundamental institutions that provide knowledge, develop awareness, and help shape the nation's future. He said classrooms should not be limited to teaching textbook content but should also develop essential life values such as discipline, honesty, hard work, tolerance, good conduct, patriotism, and social responsibility.

He noted that today's students will become tomorrow's teachers, doctors, engineers, administrators, entrepreneurs, politicians, and scientists. Therefore, he said, the purpose of education should not be limited to producing students capable of achieving high marks in examinations.

President Paudel emphasized that education must build a foundation that enables students to solve problems, develop new ideas, make responsible use of technology, and become citizens who understand their responsibilities toward the nation.

His remarks highlighted the importance of education's broader purpose and social responsibility, extending beyond academic performance to the development of capable and responsible citizens.

He also stressed that cooperation among the government, policymakers, and all stakeholders in the education sector is essential to achieve these objectives.