Kathmandu, January 12, 2006

The government is planning to bring in 10 plus 2 under the schooling system rather than keeping it a separate entity and the Department of Education (DoE) is studying the feasibility of the merger. As per the plan, grades 1 to 8 will be the basic education level, while grades 9 to 12 will be the secondary level. The new provision will come into effect from 2009 though it will be fully implemented only by 2012 as per the National Plan of Action. The National Planning Commission and donor agencies are also studying the feasibility of the merger on their own. “The examinations of grades 9 and 10 will be conducted in the regional level, while those for grade 12 will be conducted in a national level. However, discussions on how to incorporate these two termination points are on,” said an official at the Education Ministry, on condition of anonymity. “International schooling models are being studied.” The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) is also formulating a policy on it and preparations are on to introduce a portion of it through the next 8th Education Amendment Act on January 29 this year. “Financial flow, management, monitoring and affiliation will be looked after by the DoE, while affiliation and curriculum will be looked after by the Higher Secondary Education Board,” said a ministry official. According to a source at the DoE, the policy is being drafted as the Higher Education Project II, too, recommends higher secondary education under the schooling system rather than a separate entity. Moreover, the 10th five-year plan clearly states that grade 1 to 12 should come under the schooling system.

FNCCI revises its constitution

Kathmandu, January 12, 2006

Special annual general meeting of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) called by members today ended by amending its existing constitution. As per the revised provisions, the tenure of the executive committee of the Federation has been extended tothree years instead of the existing two years. Businessmen associated with the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), an apex body of the business sector, held a special meeting today in which members stressed for amending the constitution taking a broader perspective, aimed at boosting business and economy, said Chandi Raj Dhakal, president of FNCCI who will be now be serving the Federation for three years. The special AGM was held as per its earlier decision at the 39th annual general meeting of the federation held in Kathmandu during the month of July 2005. Chandi Raj Dhakal, president of FNCCI, said that due to increased conflict and fragile political situation, the federation has not been able to perform as per expectations.