KATHMANDU, JULY 1
Students representing various student wings of leading political parties gathered today in Kathmandu demanding a new Education Act with the country's transition into federal republic.
Students have asked the government to scrap the existing education act which was promulgated during the monarchy and bring a new act that addresses the time-relevant education system and suits the country's political ruling system.
They have also asked all to stop doing business with education and ensure quality education for all, improve public education, and stop political interference in universities, among others.
Almost all the education ministers since the promulgation of 2015 constitution have declared they will promulgate the new education act. However, very little action has been taken to this end.
Lack of federal Education Act has hindered implementation of education system by the local and federal governments. The Local Governance Act has allowed the local government to manage education up to grade XII.
However, the federal government has not given authority to the local government due to lack of new education act. The education ministry have long been claiming that it has prepared a draft of the education bill as per the federal ruling structure. But, the government has not yet tabled the bill in the Parliament.
The constitution had mandated that the government needs to promulgate laws regarding the fundamental rights within three years. Although majority of such laws have been created, law regarding the education system is yet to be formulated.
A version of this article appears in the print on July 2, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
