Education Ministry shifting to Keiser Mahal

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Sept. 16: Ministry for Education, Science, and Technology is to provide its service from the Keiser Library building in Lainchaur.

According to Chudamani Paudel, Secretary of the Ministry, the Ministry has initiated shifting of the office to Keiser Mahal.

However, the proposed new office is for a temporary arrangement, as the Ministry office at Singha Durbar was set on fire during the Gen-Z movement on September 9.

The proposed ministry office has been occupied by the Keiser Library and the Public Procurement and Monitoring Office for years.

Before the earthquake in 2015, the then Ministry for Education and Sports was located only at Keiser Mahal. After the earthquake destroyed the then ministry building, the ministry moved to Singha Durbar in 2015.

The Keiser Mahal building was reconstructed this year.

A team led by Chief Secretary Eknarayan Aryal inspected the ministry building in Singha Durbar on Friday. During the inspection, the team found that although the physical infrastructures are damaged, all documents are safe inside the building. But the vehicles in the parking space were destroyed.

Meanwhile, Tribhuvan University (TU) has announced that all educational activities in TU will be postponed till the Chhath festival on October 28.

Postgraduate and graduate examinations currently ongoing have also been postponed until further notice, confirmed TU officials. 

No Education Day function this year 

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has announced that National Education Day will not be observed this year due to significant damage to its infrastructure caused by an attack from the Gen-Z movement.

The assault led to widespread destruction of several government buildings, including the Ministry’s premises located within Singha Durbar.

The fire resulting from the attack caused significant damage, making it impossible to carry out regular operations from the existing building. 

Consequently, the Ministry has decided to temporarily relocate its operations to the recently renovated Keshar Mahal complex.

National Education Day, typically observed on Ashwin 2 was to be marked with official programmes including the distribution of medals, certificates, and awards at the national level. 

However, Secretary Chudamani Paudel said that the Ministry will not conduct any formal events this year due to the ongoing challenges. 

“We will extend formal greetings on the occasion, but no programmes will be organised,” he added. 

The Keshar Mahal premises, which previously housed the Keshar Library and the Public Procurement Monitoring Office, will now temporarily accommodate Ministry operations. 

These offices are being compressed to make space for the Ministry’s functions. 

Meanwhile, the Ministry has estimated that cleaning up the fire-damaged infrastructure will 

cost around Rs. 700,000. 

According to Joint Secretary Baikuntha Aryal, the amount was determined after a detailed assessment carried out with a private cleaning company.