KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari today certified the Education Act Eighth Amendment Bill, which was passed by the Parliament on June 4. The Amendment Bill is regarded to be positive in terms of making significant changes in the  educational sector. Consequently, the Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB), which regulated higher secondary schools across the country, has been transformed into the National Education Board (NEB). The Board would now be responsible for conducting the national-level school termination examinations, including those at the end of grades VIII, X and XII, from the next academic session. As per the new development, the national level school termination examinations (currently known as the “School Leaving Certificate examinations”), which was conducted by the SLC Board under the Office of the Controller of Examinations till now, would be held at the end of Grade XII from next academic session, instead of Grade X. School education would be categorised into two levels: basic education (Grade I to VIII) and secondary education (Grade IX to XII). Currently, there are four levels in school education, categorised as primary level (Grade I to V), lower secondary level (Grade VI to VIII), secondary level (Grade IX to X) and higher secondary level (grade XI to XII). Bill bars opening of schools through private or cooperative investments. The schools would have be a member of guthi to open the schools from next year. The Bill, in line with the School Sector Reform Plan, has provided a solution to the decade-long problem of temporary teachers. They would now be allowed to fight for permanent posts or accept retirement with a golden handshake scheme. The new law also envisions formation of an Educational Quality Testing Centre to test the quality of education. Likewise, the District Education Council would also be formed at district level to draft plans and policies for development of the education sector. READ ALSO:

• House endorses Education Act Amendment Bill
• Big reforms ahead in Nepal education