Integrated Higher Secondary Education Bill will be introduced soon: Minister Bhattarai

Kathmandu, Aug 28: Minister for Education, Science and Technology Bidhya Bhattarai said that the Integrated Higher Secondary Education Bill will be introduced soon.

Talking to journalists at her office in Singha Durbar today, Minister Bhattarai pledged to introduce the Bill even by preventing or delaying other bills. 

"The School Education Bill was delayed. I will advance the Integrated Higher Secondary Education Bill," admitted Bhattarai, assuring that the Bill will be extensively discussed with the stakeholders, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and the Ministry of Finance. 

Expressing her confidence that the Integrated Higher Secondary Education Bill would help in improving education, the Minister highlighted the need for universities to strengthen their linkages with State and the society.

"The Universities are operated independently under their own legislations. We have not been able to integrate them with the State and society. It is crucial to integrate them with State and societal fabric to enhance their specialization and social relevance," the Minister argued.

She shared that she held discussions with political leadership to keep universities away from politicization. As her Ministry has already received the budget allocated for the current fiscal year, she vowed that the education reform programme will be implemented based on the budget allocation. 

Similarly, Minister Bhattarai appraised the journalists on the progress of draft of the Compulsory and Free Education Implementation Action-Plan 2081 BS and sought feedbacks on the draft to enhance its effectiveness. 

Furthermore, she added that her Ministry was undertaking initiatives such as assessing children's access to basic education in every local level, mapping school locations and drafting service areas of the schools among others. 

Attraction of foreign students to be increased 

The Education Minister on the occasion stated that the attraction of foreign students towards the technical and quality education would be increased in Nepal. She said that she has also consulted with the ambassadors of Japan, China, USA, Australia, Switzerland, UK, among other countries on this matter. 

According to her, students from these countries would be provided visas swiftly. Minister Bhattarai said students would be retained within the country and initiatives made for returning to Nepal those students who have gone abroad.

Equivalence certificate to be issued in five days 

The Minister for Education, Science and Technology shared that arrangements have been made for issuing the equivalence certificate in five days of application for the same from 15 days.

She asserted that the Janak Education Materials Centre Limited has been directed to supply school textbooks throughout the country on time. 

Minister Bhattarai stressed on the need of reforms in the examination system and the learning environment for improving the poor pass out rate seen in the Class 10 and 12 examinations at present. 

She asserted that provision would be made for providing facilities and training to the ECD teachers. 

Ministry Secretary Bishwababu Pudasaini expressed the Ministry's commitment to improve the education. (RSS)