Government Collaborates with Private Schools to Improve Public Education in Nepal

In a strategic move to strengthen Nepal’s public education system, the Government of Nepal has announced a new collaboration with private schools. This initiative, revealed by President Ramchandra Paudel during the national policies and programs presentation, aims to raise the quality of community schools through joint efforts with institutional (private) schools.

“An institutional–community school partnership program will be implemented to improve the quality of education in community schools with the participation of institutional schools,” stated President Paudel.

Public Education Reform in Nepal: Mixed Reactions from Experts

Education analysts see this partnership as a shift in the government’s focus toward education reform in Nepal. However, some experts believe the approach lacks substance.

“There were expectations of a strong public education reform program, but the government has not presented any clear policy,” said Prof. Dr. Bal Chandra Luintel.

He described the education policy announcements as largely ceremonial and lacking innovation.

Teacher Bank Policy Introduced for Temporary Teacher Management

One of the standout announcements was the creation of a teacher bank—a new initiative aimed at resolving issues related to temporary teacher recruitment. President Paudel noted that the bank would be created in collaboration with universities.

Education expert Prof. Dr. Bidya Nath Koirala welcomed the idea but expressed concern about implementation.

“This is a long-awaited reform. But there’s no clarity on how it will actually work,” he commented.

According to Shiv Kumar Sapkota, spokesperson at the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, the teacher bank will serve as a centralized pool of registered teachers, making it easier to fill temporary teaching positions efficiently.

Lack of New Education Policies Raises Concerns

Experts noted that aside from the teacher bank, the government has not introduced any truly new education policies.

“Some policies are carryovers from the Panchayat era, and some just reflect public demands. The government hasn't introduced anything groundbreaking,” said Prof. Koirala.

Science and Technology Education Lacks Strategic Direction

Though the policies mention the need to promote science and technology education, critics argue there is no actionable plan in place.

“We’ve heard this before. But still, no clear roadmap exists,” added Prof. Luintel.

Nepal’s Education Act Still Pending After 9 Years

Despite the 2015 Constitution of Nepal, the Education Act remains pending. However, the government now claims it will be passed in the current parliamentary session, marking a long-overdue legislative step.

Students in Nepal Can Now Work 20 Hours a Week

To support working students, the government announced that undergraduate students will be allowed to work up to 20 hours per week and receive minimum wage. This is expected to ease financial burdens and increase student independence.

Technical and Vocational Education to Expand in Nepal

The new education policy includes a plan to extend technical education to the university level. This integration will help students gain practical skills alongside academic learning, aligning with Nepal’s push for skilled manpower development.

Government Targets Universal Basic Education by 2084 BS

The government has committed to providing universal access to basic education by 2084 BS. However, experts warn that achieving this target will require major systemic changes and better resource allocation.

Grade-Based Admission for Higher and Technical Education

Under the new policy, students will be admitted to technical, vocational, and higher education based on their academic grades. This grading system for university admission in Nepal aims to ensure merit-based enrollment.

Equal Career Development for Community Campus Teachers

The government has pledged to provide equal career development and ranking opportunities for community campus teachers, addressing their long-standing demand to be treated on par with university-level educators.

Residential Schools Planned for Remote Regions

In an effort to promote education in remote areas of Nepal, the government will establish residential schools in geographically isolated regions.

“Residential schools will be opened targeting geographically remote regions,” said President Paudel.

Renaming of President’s Education Reform Program

To improve transparency and address past controversies, the President’s Education Reform Program has been renamed the National Education Reform Program. The rebranding comes after complaints about irregularities in the previous program.

Final Thoughts

While the government’s partnership with private schools and the introduction of a teacher bank offer promising changes, many experts believe Nepal's education reform still lacks a strong foundation and long-term vision. Real transformation will depend on clear implementation strategies and genuine political commitment.