KATHMANDU, JULY 24

Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality, Khotang, Koshi, has announced plans to appoint headmasters in the 93 schools inside the municipality through open competition.

The decision was taken yesterday to make the schooling system robust. It has also decided to bring the plan into effect within a month.

The municipality lies in Khotang district of Koshi Province. The decision of the local government is being lauded by the people across the nation. They have called the decision courageous and bold.

People have welcomed the decision of the bottom level of government as it is going to accelerate and improve the education system from the local level.

According to the information officer of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality, Mohan Kumar Bhattarai, the decision was taken solely with the objective of uplifting the education sector in the municipality.

'This trend is positive as it's going to bring a sense of competition among community teachers, which will directly elevate the education of the municipality,' Information Officer Bhattarai told THT.

'Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality is not the first to take this initiative.

Khotang Rural Municipality had earlier started the same programme, which was welcomed by the locals,' added Bhattarai.

He said that the acting principals would be the principals until capable candidates were elected through open competition.

'An advertisement will be announced for the fulfilment of the position so that able teachers can fill the application and submit it to the municipality. After that the municipality will elect the best teacher for principal, said Bhattarai, adding, 'We reached this decision according to our municipality education act. We want to appoint principals who really have an interest in the education field and its enhancement.'

The municipality has complained about the ignorance of the provincial level and central government and respective ministries in both the tiers.

It has argued that not much help has been provided by the provincial government till date.

Bhattarai said, 'We have taken this decision independently.

No other level of government, either provincial or central level authority, has helped or interfered in our decision. They have left us free to use our resources and skill to make decisions for the betterment of our municipality.'

Meanwhile, netizens have praised the work of the municipality and warned against malpractices.

'The announcement is bold and praiseworthy but distributing the position to their cadres could bring chaos in the system and the next local executive can take this as political revenge,' commented Shiva Sharma.

'A remarkable step and conscious decision to be taken by all local levels. This is a pivotal step in school reform for the appointment of principals through a competitive and legal process,' wrote Bastant Bhatt.

Similarly, Pradeep Magar said, 'Anarchy must be ended.

At least the newcomers have learnt their lessons.

The new ones must get a job, now it has to be implemented everywhere.'

A version of this article appears in the print on July 25, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.