Lalitpur, February 28

The Ministry of Education is preparing to set up National Education Commission to draft a new education policy.

Speaking at a symposium ‘National Education Commission for first education policy in Federal Nepal’ organised by the education ministry in Lalitpur today, Minister for Education Giriraj Mani Pokharel said members of the commission would be selected from various walks of life.

“The earlier commissions included political leadership and education experts but the current scenario is different,” he said, adding, “As the issue of education is also linked with development, we will include experts from the field of information technology, economics and development in the commission.”

Nepal government had formed several commissions and committees in the past to draft new education policy. Nepal National Education Commission was formed under the chairmanship of Rudra Raj Pandey, then chairperson of Nepal Sikshya Parisad in 1955.

Royal Higher Education Commission was formed in 1984 under the chairmanship of Ranadhir Subba, former vice-chancellor of Tribhuvan University.

Similarly, National Education Commission was formed in 1992 under the chairmanship of then education minister Govinda Raj Joshi after the restoration of democracy.

Likewise, in 1998, National Education Commission was formed under the chairmanship of Arjun Narsingha KC, then education minister, to draft a new education policy and bring about reforms in the education sector. The commission to be formed now would be the fifth one.

Kedar Bhakta Mathema, educationist and former vice-chancellor of TU, said it was appreciative of the education ministry to discuss the issue with stakeholders before forming a new education commission.

In March last year, then education minister Chitra Lekha Yadav had formed a 17-member high-level commission to draft a new education policy but the commission failed to take full shape.

“The education sector is facing many challenges. While our public education system has failed, foreign universities are expanding their wings worldwide.

Our productive manpower is migrating to foreign countries,” said Mathema, adding,“The education policy for the federal state should reflect the current political transformation.”

Minister Pokharel said, the commission would draft a policy that would reflect the current political transformation and ensure quality education.

He also stated that subject committees would be formed under the commission to deal with various issues.

“We will take suggestions from experts,” he said, adding, “The commission will accomplish its assigned tasks within four months of its formation.”