100-day achievement: Literacy drive directives

Kathmandu, December 3:

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has left a lot to be desired.

Contrary to the popular mood, Ram Prabesh Yadav, spokesperson, Education ministry, gave thumbs up to his department.

‘National Literacy Campaign Program Implementation Directives-2008’ is the ministry’s showpiece plan.

It aims to literate 7.8 million people over the next two years. The drive will target all those aged between 15 and 60 years.

The ministry is seeking suggestions from the University Grant Commission to establish a slew of varsities — Open University for Livestock Science University, Agriculture University, Forest University, Technical University and Medical College — as well.

It has prepared the modalities and imparted orientation programmes to district education

offices to help provide free education up to higher secondary students.

Inclusiveness, arguably, is the hallmark of this programme.

School Sector Reform Programme, which requires donors’ assistance, is also high on the agenda. It is likely to be implemented from next fiscal.

Adequate grants have been allocated for schools being run in the Koshi flood-hit areas.

But the imposition of five per cent Education Service Tax (EST) to private schools has already

snowballed into a major controversy.

Simultaneously, Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai’s recent statement about nationalising schools has heightened the tension among private school owners across the country.

“The five-per cent EST is sub-judice. I cannot comment on this till the court gives its verdict,” added Yadav.

“The government’s policies smack of all-pervasive confusion. It has completely failed to assess the ground realities,” said Tirtha Khaniya, an educationist.

“All government plans and programmes will be doomed if it doesn’t involve the private

players. Well defined policies are need of the hour,” said Umesh Shrestha, president, Higher Secondary Schools’ Association of Nepal.

Bhoj Bahadur Shah, president, Private and Boarding Schools’ Organisation of Nepal, expressed displeasure about the recent turn of events.