Education Minister Sasmita Pokharel Addresses Weaknesses in Education Sector

Kathmandu. Minister for Education, Science and Technology Sasmita Pokharel has stated that the government is positive about improving the weaknesses in the education sector. 

Responding to questions raised by MPs in the meeting of the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee held at Singha Durbar on Tuesday, he emphasized the need to maintain professionalism in educational institutions. Minister Pokharel expressed the view that teachers who want to engage in politics should leave their markers and come, and that political interference in schools should end.

Minister Pokharel informed that this year's academic session had to be started from Baishakh 15 due to fuel shortage and a cabinet decision. He clarified that classes were only started from Baishakh 21 after making some changes to the admission and teaching schedule due to an interim order from the Supreme Court. He pledged that action would be taken against schools charging more than the prescribed fees, as the authority to regulate school fees lies with the local levels and coordination is underway regarding this matter.

Informing that the ministry has started a new system to make the 10 percent scholarship provided by institutional schools transparent, Minister Pokharel said, 'From now on, it has been made mandatory to enter the profile of students receiving scholarships, including their personal details, parents' income source, and photograph, into the 'e-mis' system.' 

Similarly, he also stated that the process of taking action against professors at Tribhuvan University who take study leave and draw allowances without returning them has been initiated, and some have already started returning the money. In the meeting, Minister Pokharel said, 'If teachers want to do politics, they should leave their markers and come. We are not prohibiting ideology, but it is our clear belief that professionalism should be maintained in educational institutions.' He informed that instructions have already been given to pay the 'stipend' of doctors at Chitwan Medical College according to the rules.

The ministry has adopted a policy of using the process of merging schools (merger) only as a last resort. He stated that mergers will only be done in places with a low student population and where physical access is easy. Furthermore, he mentioned that homework is being done for the amendment of the act regarding the provision of supplementary exams and additional classes for students who fail the SEE, and the recognition of doctors who have completed 'DM' in medical education as equivalent to PhD.

Minister Pokharel also informed that the ministry is addressing grievances by creating a separate 'portal' to ensure that the education of students in squatter settlements is not obstructed.