Kathmandu, January 25

The report prepared by the High-level National Education Commission has received mixed reactions.

Speakers at an interaction here today expressed their views on the report. Former education minister and commission member Dhaniram Poudel claimed that the report had offered recommendations and plans for reform in the education sector.

The report prepared by a 24-member commission chaired by the Minister of Education, Science and Technology Giriraj Mani Pokhrel was submitted to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on January 15.

The report aims to improve the quality of education in public schools while it seeks to make private schools more service-oriented.

The report, which stresses socialism-oriented education, has sought an end to commercialisation of the education sector.

Furthermore, the report suggests that the children of those drawing salaries from state coffers, including civil servants, should enrol their children in public schools.

The Department of Education, National Centre for Education Development, Nepal Teachers’ Association and Community School Management Committee, among others, were positive about the report, while umbrella organisations of private schools have expressed reservations over the report.

Spokesperson for the education ministry Baikuntha Prasad Aryal shared that the report would now be implemented as the prime minister had returned it with directives.

Viswa Niketan Secondary School’s Principal Heramba Raj Kandel said the report had kindled hope among them and argued that it had community schools an opportunity to improve the quality of education.

Private and Boarding School’s Organisation Nepal Secretary General Rajendra Baniya said the report had posed a threat to the existence of private schools as the preliminary recommendation of the report had suggested that the private schools be converted into trust.