Two-Day Weekly Holiday to Remain for Now as Education Act Preparation Continues
Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel has said that the existing two-day weekly holiday arrangement will not be removed immediately.
During a discussion held at the ministry on Friday with journalists covering education, Minister Pokharel, who is also the government spokesperson, said the Sunday holiday would not be withdrawn. Instead, the existing arrangement would be managed more systematically.
He said that although the government’s decision to provide two weekly holidays may appear unpopular at present, it would benefit everyone in the future.
During the discussion, journalists raised concerns about the difficulties the two-day holiday has created for working parents. They also questioned why private schools continue to charge students the same tuition, meal, and bus fees even though the schools remain closed two days a week. Minister Pokharel said these matters would be properly managed.
Further Discussion on Drafting the School Education Act
Minister Pokharel said the government is preparing the School Education Act, but the process will take some time.
He said further consultations with stakeholders are being planned because the new Education Act must consider the country’s future over the next 40 years.
“The legal draft of the Act has already been prepared. We are taking some additional time to study it and include several other matters,” Minister Pokharel said.
Noting that education-related laws have largely focused only on issues concerning teachers and employees, he said matters concerning students would also be included this time.
Universities to Be Allowed to Operate Autonomously
Minister Pokharel said universities would be allowed to operate autonomously. Referring to the various forms of political interference in universities in the past, he said the government plans to develop universities as institutions capable of making their own final decisions.
He clarified that although vice-chancellors have been appointed at universities, other officials are yet to be appointed, and neither the ministry nor the government will interfere in those appointments.
He also said the remaining appointment processes in other bodies under the ministry would begin soon.
Stakeholders Urged to Develop a Concrete Action Plan for Engineering Education
Meanwhile, Minister Pokharel urged stakeholders to prepare a concrete action plan to increase students’ interest in engineering education and ensure employment and opportunities in Nepal after graduation.
During a discussion held at the ministry on Thursday, he said the ministry was committed to improving the quality of engineering education, reforming the assessment system, and strengthening policy management.
The discussion was attended by Tribhuvan University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa, Institute of Engineering Dean Prof. Dr. Sushil Bahadur Bajracharya, ECON TU Chapter Coordinator Dhan Prasad Paudel, and ministry officials.
Vice-Chancellor Thapa said engineering colleges should play an active role in attracting students by improving academic quality and making the study system more effective.
Participants suggested that interest in engineering education should be increased by reforming the entrance examination system and introducing effective academic programmes that support engineering career opportunities in Nepal.
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