Stakeholder ownership essential for Education Act passage: Leader Mahar

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Dec 17: Nain Singh Mahar, Central Member of the Nepali Congress and Head of the Education Department, has stressed the responsibility of Parliament and the government in amending and passing the Education Act.

Speaking at an interaction program titled "Proposed Education Bill and Contemporary Educational Issues" organized by the Nepal National Teachers' Organization, Nepal Teachers' Association, and the Institutional School Teachers' Union (ISTU), Mahar emphasized the need to ensure ownership of the Education Act by all stakeholders.

"The central focus of the Education Act should be quality education. However, the seriousness that Parliament and the government should show in passing the Act is lacking. Agreements made with professional and labour organizations under the guise of a 'fast-track' process must be implemented and cannot be ignored," he stated.

Mahar believes that the Education Act cannot be passed without the cooperation of political parties. "Party positions on the Education Act must be clear. The Act can only be finalized as a package if an environment of political cooperation is created," he said.

He also expressed his belief in Nepal's potential to develop as an international education hub. "Nepal's diverse cultural heritage, non-aligned foreign policy, low service costs, stable geopolitical environment, and high educational potential can attract foreign students," Mahar said. "To bring students from around the world to Nepal, the education sector needs international recognition, collaboration with foreign universities, and the creation of a diverse and inclusive environment in Nepali educational institutions. This can positively impact the country's economy along with the development of the education sector. We need to implement provisions for study visas immediately.”

Discussing constitutional amendments, Mahar suggested that amendments are also necessary for the improvement of the education sector. "It is not enough for the constitution to only ensure educational rights. It must provide a clear roadmap for quality and inclusive education. Through constitutional amendments, the responsibilities and rights of education within the federal structure must be clearly delineated. This will help in resolving current problems," he explained.

Leader Mahar stated that the Nepali Congress is actively working on education policy formulation. “As per the decision of the Central Committee, the Nepali Congress has initiated the process of formulating an education policy. We are conducting an inclusive policy-making campaign by consulting with millions of citizens and intellectuals in 165 electoral constituencies. We seek everyone's support for this," he added.

He concluded that political cooperation and seriousness are essential for forwarding the Education Act in a transparent manner and ensuring ownership by all.