Kathmandu, April 8

Minister for Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokharel said the ministry was currently focusing on the government’s enrolment campaign, distribution of textbooks and increasing literacy rate.

Speaking at an interaction with social development ministers of the provinces  today, Minister Pokharel said the ministry had delayed dissolution of district education offices by three months as there was no authority at the local levels currently to manage and regulate the education sector.

He also urged the provincial ministers not to go on foreign visits until the provincial government formulated education related policy.“I request the provincial governments to focus on formulation of education policy so as to reduce confusion regarding jurisdiction of the local levels and provinces.”

Province 5 Minister for Social Development Sudarsan Baral urged the central government to hand over universities to the provincial governments. He said although the government provided funding to madrasas, there was no policy regarding fulfilment of vacant posts of teachers.

Likewise, Minister for Social Development of Karnali Province Dal Rawat said, “Our Province can generate more revenue from hydropower, tourism and production of herbs than any other province. If investments were made in such sectors, the province would emerge as one of the richest in terms of revenue generation.”

Minister for Social Development of Province 4 Nardevi Pun said the provincial government should be given the power to appoint teachers as well as open new schools.