New education act: stakeholders demand provisions covering special-nature schools

As the Ministry of Education and Sports collects suggestions for a new education act, stakeholders have demanded provisions in the act itself that would allow special-nature schools to operate autonomously.

The suggestion came at a meeting held at the ministry in Singha Durbar, chaired by Shailendra Jha, chief advisor to the education minister. The meeting discussed the management, legal basis, financial arrangements and quality of education at such schools.

Participants said necessary legal and policy arrangements are needed to bring such schools into the mainstream of national school education. The meeting also raised the need for coordination among the three tiers of government, accountable administrative procedures, and an appropriate operating framework.

Meanwhile, the program 'Education Dialogue: Part 2, Lumbini Province' was held in Butwal on Monday. Saroj Gautam, the ministry's political advisor, said the new act would be student-centered and would prioritize innovation and creativity. According to him, the act will emphasize building an education system that is timely, practical and creative.

At the same event, Chief Advisor Jha said grassroots suggestions would play a major role in policymaking. He said the aim is to bring an act that incorporates practical suggestions from both private and public sectors and is acceptable to all.