Revamping Nepal's Education System

Education is the cornerstone of human civilisation and few inventions in the history of humankind rival its significance. It serves as a foundation upon which progress, societal advancement and individual growth are built. It empowers ordinary citizens to become extraordinary contributors, enabling them to navigate the complexities of the world with confidence and purpose.

Considering the strategic importance of transforming the education system to keep abreast with the changes in the environment, the government of Nepal has reformed its education system by prioritising inclusivity and expanding access to learning opportunities for all sections of society. Consequently, Nepal’s literacy rate has shown a remarkable improvement in literacy rate, an 11.52 per cent jump from mere 48.6 per cent 20 years ago to standing at 76.2 per cent according to the 2021 survey report.

Groundwork

While Nepal has come a long way in reforming its education system, an uphill struggle persists to unleash its true potential. In the process of educational reform, it is easy to sideline fundamental groundwork as the focus seems to be more on the incorporation of technology and developing advanced infrastructure. However, meaningful reform necessitates restructuring of the education system from its very foundation.  

Formal education in Nepal is divided into various stages, including pre-primary (nursery to UKG), basic education (grades 1 to 5 and grades 6 to 8), secondary education (grades 9 to 10 and grades 11 to 12), followed by higher education. While reflecting on Nepal’s education system, it’s important to compare it with the world's leading models. In this regard, Finland’s education system, considered one of the best in the world, has set a benchmark, consistently ranking among the highest in reading, science and math. Pre-primary education in Finland begins from age 6 and the emphasis is on learning readiness, not reading and writing mastery.

Prior to this, Early Childhood Education (ECE) is encouraged but not compulsory and the focus during this period is on play-based learning, social development and emotional well-being. Likewise, basic education from grades 1 to 9 is free and compulsory. Notable things are that students are not grouped by ability, education is equal for all and emphasis is on equality, well-being and personalised support. School days are shorter with more breaks and very little homework and there are no national exams until the end of grade 9.

Teachers create personalised plans and use continuous assessment instead of frequent tests. What is noteworthy is that teaching is one of the most respected professions in Finland. It is no surprise, then, that the minimum requirement to become a teacher is a Master’s degree. This ensures that teachers are experts in their fields, which in turn enhances the quality of education they impart.  Apart from this, local flexibility is incorporated in the national core curriculum.

Conversely, Nepal’s education system places undue pressure on learners with longer school days, few breaks and never-ending assignments. Less importance is placed on play-based learning, social development and emotional well-being. With its heavy focus on exam-based assessment, our education system inadvertently conditions young minds for a lifelong sense of competition. Similarly, at a higher level, high-stakes exams are perceived as ‘do-or-die events, where low scores or failure are seen as the end of a student's academic journey. Consequently, education remains confined to rote learning and theoretical knowledge with little focus on fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Therefore, it has become imperative to transform the education system in Nepal from the ground level. In this aspect, the curriculum should be revised with more focus on life skills and employability. Likewise, incorporating culture, tradition and history in the curriculum will also help students in comprehending their own identities, heritage and place in the world and simultaneously, our education system can also deepen its roots. Apart from this, utmost importance must also be given to emotional, social and mental development of children as opposed to pressuring young minds with long school hours coupled with too many assignments.

Personal growth

Likewise, learners should not be ranked; focus should be on personal growth rather than competition. They should be taught to learn ‘how to think’ rather than ‘what to think’. Since teachers are the heart of the education system, it’s vital to compensate them fairly and also invest more in teachers' training while setting criteria for teachers’ selection. The importance of education is undeniable. It is a foundation on which a country’s future rests. Unless the country improves its human capital through education, it's unlikely that any other endeavor will succeed.

Therefore, making education relevant to one and all, along with transforming education, is of strategic importance. It is a complex process demanding a multifaceted approach and concentrated effort from government and society. It is only by addressing prevailing issues that the nation can fully unlock the true potential of the education system and empower its citizens to construct the future for themselves and the country. 

(The author is the director & chief instructor at Suva Consultancy & Training Institute.)