No change in education policy; Says education minister

Kathmandu, Sept 7: Education Minister Dhaniram Poudel today said education policy and its priority would not get changed despite the government change.

A change to education policy and its priority every time when there is a change in government, he said, would affect yield good results as expected by investment and implement people's fundamental rights to education as stipulated by the constitution. The minister was speaking at a 7th annual general assembly of the National Campaign for Education Nepal (NCEN) held on the eve of the National Education Day, 2073 BS.

Minister Poudel said the National Education Commission would be formed as pledged by the 18-point reform programme forwarded by the former Education Minister Giriraj Mani Pokharel and Education Act amendment would be implemented.

He also said it was the responsibility of the state to increase budget in education and implement people's fundamental rights to education.

Similarly, CPN-UML lawmaker Rabindra Adhikari pointed out the need for citizens to work collectively for social development and transformation, apart from emphasising industrial development and development in education simultaneously.

Educationalist Prof Dr Mana Prasad Wagle said the amendment to the Education Act fails to address full spirit of the constitution and that such laws should be made that could interpret the rights of education at local level.

On the occasion, Chairman of the Nepal National Teachers Association Keshab Niraula said that it would be possible to carry out transformation in education only in cooperation with school teachers.

The two-day assembly will pick a new leadership of the NCEN while working papers on various subjects like education will be presented. Around 90 representatives from around Nepal have participated.