Kathmandu - This week most of the news and opinion covered in the media discussed about the questionable state of education, particularly the state of higher education. There were opinion articles published that discussed about the centralized mechanisms of TU. A letter to editor discussed about the gradually loss of trust among students over higher education institutions in the country. This week a news also report that annually more students are seeking higher education abroad. Matters on education have reduced drastically, as priority sift towards weather calamities. 

Abbreviations: MOEST- Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, TU- Tribhuwan University, KU- Kathmandu University, TUSC-TU Service Commission, KD-Kantipur Daily, THT- The Himalayan Times, SEE- Secondary Education Examination, BPKIHS-BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, CIAA- Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, VC- Vice Chancellor

- There were multiple news reports expressing sorry state of high education institutions from different parts of Nepal this week. A news reported that PurvanchalUniversity’s art and law department dean appears to be the president of its affiliated college. The reason stated was the lack of sufficient law based academicians. The wrong practice also indicates the state of institutional management of higher education in Nepal.  There where news coverage of the uncertainty in selection of coordinator for Professors’ Convention.  It was reported that disagreement between representatives of different political groups was behind the uncertainty. An opinion article states the present state of TU is due to the wide spread crony capitalism and centralized mindset that has affected its workings.

- An opinion article discussed about the accessibility to education of Dalit children who are expected to help in the field in harvest seasons. The article states to failed attempt of inclusion in education due to financial differences.  The article also regards the traditional occupation of Dalit community to be a challenge to bring children into the education system. 

- A news report mentions of Student union being cancelled in Gokuleshwore College of Baitadi, which has raised the issue of relevance of student unions in colleges. This incident has raised the relevance of political student’s wings. Its lack of contribution for academic progress and support in irregularities has surfaced again. The step was taken in coordination with students who has submitted the letter for cancellation in their institutional letterheads. Academicians report that such political student wing practice is a unique to Nepal, through students unions for student welfare has been an international practice. Student wings itself has been inactive in recent times reported the news.  

- KU has started Technical and vocational courses in post graduate level. The dean of education department of KU informed the course was created to produce teachers and academicians for the technical education sector. 

- The front page of Teacher weekley (Magazine)  covered the issue of English medium madness and its impact in schools, teachers, students and society as well. The article discussed about the pressure it has built among public schools to teach in English. It also discussed about the impact it has in students learning ability in foreign language in early age.

- A news reported dispute in the re-examination policy of SEE exams.  At present student can give re-exam of any amount of subjects. Previously it was limited to two subjects. The news reported haphazard policy recommendations has added burden to the students, parents and government agencies as well.

'Education this Week' is a joint effort put to analyze the press coverage of education in Nepal’s selected print media published in Kathmandu. The main aim of this effort is to identify and explain major education issues picked up by the media and give back and foreground of the news.This, we believe, will help policy makers and other responsible people to keep abreast with ongoing concerns and discussions on and around education. EduKhabar, in collaboration with the Center for Educational Policies and Practices (CEPP) , has produced this analysis based on the news printed in Kantipur (Nepali) and The Himalayan Times (English), Dailies, Himal Weekly(Nepali) and BBC.com (international online portal) between July 24-30, 2019 (Sawan 8-14, 2076)- Editor.

Read this analysis in Nepali : विश्वास गुमाउँदै शैक्षिक संस्थाहरू

Read last week’s analysis : Irregularities in higher education

All analysis read by this link : Education This week