Much preparation needed before introducing School Education Bill

The government introduced the School Education Bill without consulting enough with the stakeholders concerned, it is said.

In a meeting of the Sustainable Development and Good Governance National Assembly today, Committee President Prakash Panth was of the opinion that the government and the authorities concerned are expected to remain alert to the need to enhance quality of education and implement the citizen's fundamental rights ensured by the Constitution. As he said, broader discussions with stakeholders concerned was essential before introducing the Bill.

He advised the government to ensure sufficient preparations before working on the draft of any law.

Committee member Narayan Prasad Dahal said teachers took to the streets against the draft of the Bill as it was brought without addressing various agreements reached between the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and Nepal Teachers' Federation at different times. "It seems that the government is ready to sign the agreement, but it hesitates to enforce them."

In some cases, the line Minister remains unaware of the full contents of the Bill. It is a structural shortcoming, he added.

Lawmaker Anita Dahal stressed the need to bring the bill capable of addressing the issues in the education sector.

PABSON President DK Dhungana who attended the meeting as an invitee said the private sector has contributed to the promotion of quality education and the State is not expected to interfere in guardians' choice for schools.

Community School Management Committee Federation central president Gunaraj Moktan urged the government to involve the Federation as a partner in the policy and decision-making level.

Guardian's Association, Nepal president Keshab Puri was of the view that if the State failed to ensure a total free education, community schools should be allowed to charge certain fees.

Nepal National Guardians' Association's Ram Prasad Neupane proposed that State's high-ranking people and government employees shall be mandated to send their children to community-schools.

Higher Secondary School Teachers Union Nepal (HISTUN) president Tika Prasad Neupane demanded the government fix teachers ' quotas for higher- secondary level education.

It may be noted that the registration of the Bill in the House of Representatives on September 13 sparked teacher's Kathmandu-centered intense demonstration from September 20-22 at the call of Nepal Teachers' Federation. The protest ended with the signing of the six-point agreement between the government and the agitating side on September 22.

However, teachers who are eligible for contribution-based pension and those appointed on the relief quota continue to protest at the local Maitighar citing that the agreement failed to address their concerns about professional rights and job security.