KATHMANDU, JUNE 4 Minister for Education and Sports, Sasmit Pokharel, has said that its push for good governance, accountability and institutional discipline in higher education has led to significant progress in recovering funds from Tribhuvan University (TU) teachers who misused study leave facilities. In a social media statement on Thursday, Education Minister and government spokesperson Pokharel said more than Rs 10.46 crore has already been recovered from teachers who failed to return to service after taking long-term study leave, with further repayments underway. 'The campaign to establish governance, accountability and institutional discipline in higher education has achieved an important milestone,' the minister said. He added that study leave is intended to help universities develop skilled and research-oriented academic human resources, but misuse of the facility had caused both financial and academic losses to public institutions. According to the minister, the ministry's intervention and coordination with TU prompted intensified investigation and legal processes, which accelerated the recovery of public funds. The minister described the development as more than a financial recovery, calling it a step towards strengthening institutional discipline, ensuring public accountability and restoring public trust in the higher education system. The update comes a day after TU reported that over Rs 140 million had been recovered from 41 teachers, with 62 others applying to return dues. The university has been pursuing 191 teachers identified for not returning after study leave, with total alleged losses estimated at nearly Rs 2 billion. Under TU regulations, teachers can take study leave for up to five years on the condition that they return to service or repay the required amount if they fail to resume duty.