Kathmandu - There was news that Tribhuvan University (TU) will now also include in scores the talent shown and contribution made by a student in extracurricular activities. The university has, for the first time, adopted a policy to include extracurricular activities in academic credit. According to Dr. Dipendra Parajuli, Director of the Directorate of Student Welfare and Sports, if a student performs excellently in areas such as social service, disaster management, sports, fine arts, science and technology, innovation, entrepreneurship and management, it will be accredited and shown in the score sheet.

Arrangements will have been made for the National Service Scheme, National Service Corps, Vice Chancellor's Cup sports, fine arts, science and, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship appointment of program coordinators on each campus to submit official records of student participation, time (hours) spent, and work performance each semester, the news mentioned. Those details will be verified and approved by the Directorate of Student Welfare and Sports of TU. According to the news, for that, a central digital system will be developed to record all student activities, hours, and credit points earned. 

Similarly, a policy has been put forward to provide opportunities for students who score excellent marks in all central departments of TU to serve within the university by appointing them as teaching assistants or research assistants, the news quoted. 

This is a long due welcome move. Such effort holds higher importance in the context such as hours where scores are revered over action or performance. This of course is not the end of improvement but the beginning signaling both parents and students that there is something equally important other than the memory-based test in the life. It could have been started from any of the university but it’s important that other universities follow the suit. If such a move was part of the transformation process initiated by the gone Minister of Education, he also should be thanked. 

Now the time has come that pattern of memory-based exams is also changed gradually moving from close to open book. Above all, bringing the change in type of questions holds the potential to transform the system of education where score meet intrinsic and extrinsic content and intent of the curricula. Now the time has come that questions emphasizes on ‘whys and hows’ rather than ‘whats’ alone.

A sit-in protest led by the TU Free Students' Union has begun at the entrance of the Examination Controller's Office, demanding an end to the situation where students from any corner of the country have to come to Kathmandu for examination-related work at TU, the news published.

Officials have complained that Dinesh Air, the president of TU, a student group affiliated with the Nepali Communist Party (CPN), threatened to physically attack them after the building was unlocked by force (without informing them), there was the news. The news reported that Vice Chancellor Deepak Aryal said that TU is in the process of addressing the demands of students as it has formed a Fee Review Task Force as agreed upon regarding fees and has moved forward with the work.

A Startup Business Grant Agreement is signed with 6 groups of students studying at the University of Agriculture and Forestry, Chitwan, the news came. With the financial support of the University Grants Commission, six groups of students have been provided with the seed capital ranging around USD 1400 to 3500. Grants were given to groups of 3 to 5 students studying in the Faculties of Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries, Faculty of Forestry and the College of Agriculture and Forestry of the University of Agriculture and Forestry for innovative businesses, mentioned the news.

Addressing the first convocation of Nepal Open University, Prof. Kedar Bhakta Mathema said that obtaining a university degree is not the end of education but only the beginning of a new phase of knowledge. He said that since Open University students are more mature, curious, and self-directed, the distance learning system will develop self-discipline and a lifelong learning mindset in people. Premier and Chancellor Sushila Karki said that the university is making efforts to provide to affordable and quality in higher education through open and distance learning, quoted the news.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Nepal University and the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, for academic collaboration, there was the news. The agreement aims facilitating student and faculty exchange, joint research, and collaboration in other academic activities between the two institutions.

Purbanchal University is going to hold an international conference from February 12 and 13, 2026 at its Central Office premises in Gothgaun, Morang. The conference on ‘Visioning the Future of the Himalayas: Pathways to Sustainability and Development’ will bring together more than 300 academics, policymakers, researchers, and students from 12 countries, including Nepal, India, Norway, Ukraine, Thailand, South Africa, Bangladesh, USA, mentioned the news.

The number of new children enrolling in 87 public schools of Kathmandu Metropolitan City for the upcoming academic session has increased compared to previous years. On the day of Saraswati Puja, 1,115 new children were initiated into the alphabet in public schools within the metropolis, the news came. Among those who have started learning the alphabet, there are 525 girls and 590 boys. According to the news, last year, 971 children had started learning the alphabet in public schools.

Jit Raj Giri, a teacher in Chautara Sangachokgadhi Municipality, has been arrested on charges of sexually abusing a student in Sindhupalchowk. A complaint has been filed against a teacher for abusing a 12-year-old girl student, mentioned the news.

Dhansudan Chaulagain wrote in Gorkhapatra that teachers should be the main facilitators to create opportunities for children to unleash their inherent talents and to that end, quality education can only be improved if capable and skilled human resources are attracted to the teaching profession and their talents are fully utilized.

Prof. Dr. Ekaratna Acharya wrote in Gorkhapatra that despite teachers working hard to teach, students have not achieved good results for not giving importance to the spirit of curriculum. In the article, he suggested that teachers should explain to students that every activity in life is related as flesh and skin, and that teachers should base on thematic facts on practical and social contexts when teaching.

Prof. Dr. Balmukunda Regmi wrote in Gorkhapatra that opening schools, colleges and universities indiscriminately and recklessly by spending public funds, leaving aside the country's needs and management capacity, has increased.

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 contents of the last week from Jan 24-30, 2025 in this issue and this often is the translated version of Nepali edition - The Editor.

Read this analysis in Nepali : प्रतिभा तथा अतिरिक्त क्रियाकलापमा पनि नम्बर !

Read last week's content : Last week in Education