Kathmandu Metropolitan City Implements New Policies for School Education

Kathmandu. Kathmandu Metropolitan City has implemented new policy arrangements in teacher staffing, scholarship distribution, and school management committee formation to make school education within the city area organized and transparent.  

Namraj Dhakal, head of the Metropolitan City's Education Department, informed about recent decisions and future plans, stating that various initiatives for educational reform have been started. The Metropolitan City has so far completed teacher staffing adjustments for about one hundred teachers in two phases.  

While the first and second phases prioritized teachers' wishes and school needs, preparations are underway for the third phase to be based entirely on needs. Similarly, the department has stated that schools themselves must manage teachers appointed from private or internal sources, and if internal resources are available, subsidies or compensation can be arranged by creating a work procedure. In the case of schools without resources, necessary decisions will be made after recommendations are made to the Education Department.  

With the changes in the Education Act through the 'Some Nepal Laws Amendment Ordinance 2083', the structure of the School Management Committee will also be changed. The provision of selecting the chairperson from among donors or intellectuals has been abolished by the court as it conflicted with federal laws, so this provision has now been removed.

Now there is a provision for representation of 4 parents, 2 social workers/intellectuals, and 1 ward representative. Head Dhakal clarified that further decisions will be made soon after legal consultation regarding the currently functioning committees. A 'Scholarship Selection Committee' has been formed to make the selection process for scholarships provided to students from grades 1 to 10 more transparent and accountable.  

This committee, chaired by the ward chairperson or their designated member, will include the school principal, school inspector, and one parent member. The Metropolitan City has also determined the percentage of scholarships based on student numbers.  

10 percent for schools with up to 500 students, 12 percent for schools with 500 to 800 students, and 15 percent for schools with more than 800 students. The Metropolitan City has stated that the deadline for scholarship management this time is the entire month of Jestha and it will be strictly monitored.  

For the confidentiality and dignified operation of examinations, the Metropolitan City has decided to continue the examination committee at the employee level. Since these are technical and sensitive matters such as question paper creation, selection, and result publication, they have been kept under the leadership of experts and employees. However, it is stated that the Education Committee will have the authority to monitor and make necessary improvements.  

Regarding the public holiday on Sunday implemented by the government, the Metropolitan City is currently following the government's decision. Discussions are ongoing with neighboring municipalities and stakeholders regarding whether to open schools on Sundays or not. Head Dhakal informed that discussions are underway to reduce educational loss due to the holiday by cutting from winter or rainy season holidays and to manage time by limiting quarterly examinations to internal assessments, and a conclusion will be reached soon.