The news of amendments to the School Education Bill by the Ministry of Education and the Nepal Teachers’ Federation; report of the Investigation Committee formed by TU on the misuse of the study leave by its professors and employees; protest against the call for applications for the recruitment of professors and associate professors got priority in the media last fortnight.

Kathmandu - It was reported that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) and the Nepal Teachers Federation (NTF) have prepared 27 points to amend the School Education Bill. The points of those amendments differ from the report prepared by the subcommittee formed by the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee (EHITC) of Parliament: the ratio of internal and open competition for temporary teachers is changed, the kindergarten has been made one year long, the School Education Examination (SEE) has been reinstated, and points related to teacher service facilities, the report mentioned. Even though the time given by the EHITC has passed, the Committee meeting has not been able to hold for the Government not being present for the meeting.

There was another piece of news that the Education Bill has not been included in the Parliamentary Calendar, even though it was said that the School Education Bill would be ratified by 29 June 2025.

The MoEST's decision to amend the Education Bill under undue influences from the NTF is a violation of the sovereign rights of the Parliament and its members (MPs). It is the right and duty of the Parliament to deal with the Bill: pass with amendments are return back to the government altogether. The Ministry is responsible for executing the laws formulated by Parliament. The NTF was also known to have influence the MPs to file desired amendments to the Bill. However, as the discussion on the bill progresses, some points of teachers' interests' clashed with the education reform agenda. Compelling the Ministry to agree on the agenda of interest violets the Constitution. It is objectionable that the Ministry of Education is an ally to this. Some say its not the first bite that kills but the next one. It may set the trend. 

Such activities by teachers' unions, that are closely linked to the party, appear to be creating obstacles to education reform on the one hand, and on the other, they are failing the state state machinery. Of course, the Ministry should take the initiative to resolve the problem, but wouldn't it be better to sit down with teachers and the Parliamentary Committee to find a solution together? Decisions that are made in secret are often against broader interest of the public and the country in general. Shouldn't anyone take responsibility for the time and resources spent for holding series of discussions by the MPs? The MPs may not feel humiliated for this due to party loyalty as the amendments agreed between the teachers and the Ministry will not be approved without a party whip later. Doesn't this further prove that they are party workers disguised as teachers?

The Study Leave Abuse Investigation Committee formed by Tribhuvan University (TU) has found that 400 professors and employees of the University have misused their study leave, there was the news. On 26 December, a Committee formed under the coordination of Associate Professor Dr. Jeevan Kafle submitted a study report to TU, stating that 187 teachers/staff members have not returned after their study leave and 213 have not submitted their passing certificates. While on study leave, they received a salary benefit of 3 to 4 million rupees (USD 22 to 29 thousand) per person, there was a news report in Kantipur quoting the report. The University has assigned the same committee to conduct further investigation into the matter, published the news.

TU is going to recruit 10 professors, 30 associate professors, and 100 assistant professors through an ‘open’ competition based on research experience and specialization, with a minimum qualification of a PhD, the news published. Although TU has moved forward with the  recruitment process, six University Teachers' Associations active at the University have opposed this process, the news quoted. The Teachers' Associations has objected to the advertisement being published, saying it goes against prevailing norms and affects the career development of serving professors, mentioned the news.

This protest by professors is intellectually equivalent to students vandalizing a university campus. The tendency to enter the service under the influence of various non-meritocratic factors, especially party affiliation and nepotism, and then get promoted under the same influence just by holding the position, has turned the university into an employment center for useless people called university teachers. This is similar to the culture of teachers who demand that they are made regular even if they have not entered the service through a proper scrutiny, although there may be questions whether fast track is just fast or fair too. Otherwise, statement of the professors that it is 'contrary to prevailing norms and the professional development of serving professors' is just demonstrating their disqualification. After all not all positions are to be filled through open recruitment. Lateral entry also takes place in government services. 

University teachers have raised this issue and if this issue is not magnified, it will be a little less embarrassing for them. It may be a professorial consciousness to ensure that candidates who come from the open competition have adequate academic credentials. If you turn those who have come out in the open competition down, it will be an even bigger slap in their face.

Although the Executive Council of TU has decided to take action against those involved in the vandalism incident at the office of the Vice-Chancellor (VC), a complaint has been filed with the Kirtipur Police Circle, but there was the news that the process of action has not progressed.

There is accusation to the Home Minister protecting the student leaders of the Nepal Student Union (NSU) who were involved in the vandalism of the VC's office on 28 May, the news came. They were elected as Presidents and Secretaries of Free Students Union of various campuses from NSU, mentioned the news. Due to insecurity following the vandalism, TU officials had not been to the office for two weeks and work had come to a standstill. From the last week, the VC and Registrar have been conducting administrative work from the Institute of Engineering at Pulchowk.  

In an editorial in Kantipur, Prime Minister Mr. KP Sharma Oli, who is also the Chancellor of Tribhuvan University, and Home Minister Mr. Ramesh Lekhak, who is in charge of peace and security, were questioned for protecting groups that were creating chaos. An editorial in Gorkhapatra also mentions that such incidents have pushed Nepali students going abroad for higher education. The editorial states that student and teachers/staffs unions must conduct a serious review on this.

Former TU VC Kedar Bhakta Mathema said that legal action should be taken against those who vandalized the VC's office and impunity has increased if there is no action, the news quoted.

The negative impact of increasing partisan politics on the overall education sector has been intensifying in recent times. Instead of making the education sector a center of political debate based on ideas and perspectives, partisan interests and individual-centered ambitions have been breaking the backbone of education sector. Its extreme form can be clearly seen at TU. There is no doubt that its foundation was strengthened by the actions of the main political parties. For years, the university has been drenched in partisan politics, with university officials, from deans to department heads to campus chiefs, being appointed based on their proximity to political parties rather than their academic ability and efficiency. Although the style of student organization leaders who have gained strength from the same rain has shown their immediate impact, but they have not been able to keep in mind that it will harm them over time. Even among these, only a few will benefit from it. The country's interests are far from being the issue.

There is no doubt that the chaotic style of student leaders, who are confidently roaming under the umbrella of their Party leaders who forgive every wrongdoing, will not only destroy the educational and academic environment of the university, but ultimately the entire educational sector of the country.

The sooner the leaders of the main parties become aware of this growing quagmire of partisan politics in the education sector, the sooner educational advancement will occur, the student front that disseminates political ideas will also become stronger, and ultimately the party itself will benefit. However, unless the character of the party leaders, who take pleasure in being entangled in the chains of limited self-interest, is improved, the university's reputation will only continue to decline

The central office of Nepal Sanskrit University, which was locked since 27 December 2025, has been opened after a five-point agreement between the negotiation committee and the CPN Maoist-affiliated student organization, the news published. 

Students studying at the Karnali Institute of Health Sciences are reaching out to remote settlements in Jumla and providing health education on communicable and non-communicable diseases and sanitation, tuberculosis, HIV, AIDS, and diarrhea, there was the news. The institute has deployed students studying according to the curriculum to various communities for about a month for community health education, mentioned the news.

There was news that Kathmandu University has called for private colleges for affiliation in various subjects. The notice stated that private colleges will be affiliated for the School of Arts, Education, Engineering Management, Medical Sciences, Health Informatics, Information Technology and Hospitality Management programs.

Chancellor Prime Minister Mr. KP Oli, in the 99th meeting of the Kathmandu University (KU) Assembly, has emphasized the need for radical changes in education to make it modern, useful, and employment-oriented, as he repeated like in other meetings, the news quoted.

There was report that KU conferred degrees to 1,129 students, including 118 foreigners, in the second phase of its 30th convocation ceremony.

At the first convocation ceremony of Rajarshi Janak University, Prime Minister Mr. Oli said that Nepali students have strong 'genetic power' as they are the descendants of Nepali scholars, the news quoted. 86 students of Rajarshi Janak University have been initiated.

MPs visited the Madan Bhandari University of Science and Technology in Chitlang and interacted with students and professors, the news published. 

Students from Duke University and Duke Planet Lab in the US trekked from Lumbini to Lomanthang to understand the impact of climate change, there was the news. 
President Ram Chandra Poudel said that quality education is necessary to increase production, create employment, and build a labor culture at the Diamond Jubilee ceremony of Nepal Adarsh Secondary School, the news quoted.

Although the examination of the SEE answer sheets has started late due to the month-long protest by the NTF, the work of entering the students results is also underway after the examination was completed at 32 out of 50 centers to publish the exam results on time, broadcasted the news by Nepal Television. 

Gorakhapatra reported that the age limit of 14 years to participate in the SEE as stipulated in the Education Regulations has been re-imposed. In 2022, the MoEST removed the age limit from the regulations to participate in the SEE. Now, the age limit has been implemented through a ministerial decision, covered the news.

Janak Shiksha Samagi Kendra Provincial Office Bharatpur has sold books worth more than Rs. 200 million this year, the news mentioned.

Although the constitution states that education up to the secondary level is free, the National Examination Board (NEB) is charging fees from students in more than 19 headings, there was the news. According to the news, NEB that conducts the final school-level examinations, charges fees for all services provided by the board, including registration, examination forms, and distribution of certificates for passing classes or levels. The amount saved by deducting the board's expenses from the fees collected from students goes to government revenue, mentioned the news. Former Education Minister Bidya Bhattarai tried to make the services provided by the examination board free, but the Ministry of Finance blocked it, Onlinekhabar covered the news. 

Schools are also forced to charge fees from students because the Government does not provide sufficient resources, the news mentioned.

It is necessary for the Government to think creatively about implementing the provision of free education mentioned in the Constitution and how to raise funds beyond the State's capacity. School fees are an important method for raising resources for school education, promoting social justice, and increasing parental involvement in schools. Making it free even for all economically capable and vulnerable citizens will not enhance social justice. Therefore, it seems necessary for media professionals to consider alternatives to mobilize resources for public education in a way that maintains social justice, while realizing the reality of the country, rather than constantly singing tantrum of Article 31 of the Constitution and portraying public education as weak. Instead, the question that should be raised is why should a Government Board be allowed to charge fees, and why should the provisions of free education only apply to government/public schools?

There were reports of schools in various districts having zero students, and schools being merged due to a decrease in student numbers.

Sunsari's Barahakshetra Municipality has held discussions with the head teachers and School Management Committees (SMCs) personnel regarding an education development plan to improve the education of public schools in the Municipality, the news published.

Public schools damaged by last year's floods and landslides are being rebuilt in Sindhuli and School buildings have been constructed at various local bodies in other parts of the country, but in some cases, there was the news of construction of buildings remained incomplete due to lack of funds. 

Chitwan's Local Government closed schools due to extreme heat, the news came.

Purushodaya Secondary School in Bareng Rural Municipality (RM) of Baglung is increasingly known for its technical education, while Butwal Sub-metropolitan City is planning to provide free engineering education to 40 female students, the news published.

Hetauda Sub-metropolitan City is planning to serve midday meal to 5,000 public school students from a ‘mega kitchen’ to be built at Balbodh Secondary School as per the Federal Government's Mega Kitchen Scheme, there was the news. Similarly, model kitchens have been constructed for midday meals in 15 public schools of Tatopani RM of Jumla.

Shivnath RM of Baitadi is continuing its scholarship program this year to increase access of underprivileged students to medical, engineering, and technical subjects, the news came.

Ranjit Mahato, a blind teacher from Madhav Narayan Municipality, Rautahat, has received praise from students for teaching in a different way at Subalal Secondary School in Santapur of Chandrapur, the news quoted.

Students from Halesi Tuwachung Municipality in Khotang conducted mock parliament that that resonated the Federal Parliament, the news came. The practice of forming a parliament, forming a government along with forming committees, and presenting the government's budget to the parliament to presenting bills has been carried out, mentioned the news.

Two private schools operating without permission in Saptari have been closed. According to the news, implementing the Court order, the Municipality, under the leadership of the District Education Development and Coordination Unit, has closed Ananda Private Educational Trust and RP Memorial School.

A fine of ten thousand rupees (USD 73) has been imposed after a monitoring found that the stationery shop at the main gate of Himalaya Secondary School run by Head Teacher of the school in Aathbiskot Municipality, Rukum Paschim, was found selling and distributing alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco products, published the news.

Despite efforts by local levels in remote areas to improve education, the lack of trust among parents in public schools has led to an increase in the number of villages being emptied as people migrate to cities and markets to educate their children, report published in Onlinekhabar.

Dhansudan Chaulagain has written an article in Gorkhapatra stating that there should be regular and effective monitoring for the implementation of the provision in the Compulsory and Free Education Act, 2019, which requires private schools to provide scholarships to a certain percentage of students.

Prof. Dr. Krishna Kant Parajuli has written an article stating that it is the duty of the state to make public schools the first choice of all citizens by improving them, not by reducing the quality of private schools and discouraging them, in order to make the future of public schools brighter.

Dr. Sujan Kadariya and Deepak Dhami have been elected as the President and General Secretary of the student organization affiliated to the CPN (UML), respectively, the news came.

The Principals Association of Nepal (PAN) has honored Lalitpur Metropolitan City with an award for its leadership role in the education sector, commitment, and bringing new issues to the debate, the news published.

Four employees working in various government services who earned their PhDs from Mewar University in India have received equivalence from Tribhuvan University, but after receiving complaints that the degrees were fake, such degrees have come under suspicion, the news mentioned.

Students protested at the NOC branch in Sanothimi for the  suspension of D-2 and D-4 visas for South Korea, there was the news. 

Purpose of this news review is to classify and synthesize the educational content of the week and provide objective comments from the point of view of social justice and creative pedagogy including the environment. It is aimed to the policy makers and stakeholders to help make informed decisions. In this joint effort of the Center for Educational Policies and Practices (CEPP) and EduKhabar, material from daily newspapers - Kantipur, Gorkhapatra and The Himalayan Times, online news portals - Online Khabar, Setopati and Ratopati and the 8 o'clock news of Nepal Television and 7 o'clock news of Himalaya Television is summarized and presented with commentary on relevant issues. We have covered the contents from 31 May-13 June 2025 in this issue - The Editor.

Read this analysis in Nepali : संसदको अधिकारमा हस्तक्षेप !

त्रिविमा सत्ता अराजकताको राज

Also watch the video (Nepali) with the commentary :

संसदको अधिकारमा हस्तक्षेप ! [एक भिडियो टिप्पणी]

सत्ता अराजकताको राज [भिडियो टिप्पणी]

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