Minister Bhattarai Stresses Urgency of New School Education Act

Kathmandu, December 4, 2024

 Education, Science, and Technology Minister Vidya Bhattarai has highlighted the immediate need to introduce a School Education Act to streamline technical education, schools, child development, and traditional education systems. Speaking at the Education, Health, and Information Technology Committee meeting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, she emphasized the importance of developing an Act that addresses current challenges and anticipates future educational needs.

Key Highlights

• Minister Bhattarai stressed the necessity of creating an Act that considers long-term impacts rather than short-term goals. "The School Education Act should be agreed upon in the committee promptly and made implementable," she urged.

• She pointed out that while the Constitution grants school education rights to local governments, provincial and federal governments are responsible for strengthening, supporting, and ensuring accountability.

• The Minister appealed to lawmakers to actively support the Act’s formulation process, emphasizing the Ministry’s readiness to facilitate and coordinate every necessary step.

• Reflecting on the 1971 Education Act and the 2018 Compulsory and Free Education Act, Bhattarai highlighted that the latter focused on free and mandatory education and coordination among federal, provincial, and local governments.

Minister Bhattarai expressed concerns about focusing solely on immediate needs, stating that such an approach could lead to future challenges in implementing the Act. She called for provisions in the Act that strengthen local governance and enhance accountability while ensuring effective coordination between the three tiers of government.

The Minister reiterated that implementing provisions of the Compulsory and Free Education Act alone could significantly improve the country’s education system. She urged all stakeholders, including lawmakers and local authorities, to prioritize the Act’s timely introduction and execution.