Minister Pokharel, UK Minister Malhotra for exploring ways to further bilateral collaboration

Kathmandu, May 22: Minister for Education and Sports, Sasmit Pokharel, and visiting UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Equalities), Seema Malhotra, held a meeting on Friday. 

During the meeting that took place at the Ministry in Singha Durbar, the two dignitaries discussed the ways to further strengthening long-standing diplomatic ties between Nepal and UK and to expand strategic collaboration in the areas of education and sports, the Ministry said.  

The UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Indo-Pacific arrived here on Friday morning on a three-day official visit. 

Likewise, the two also exchanged views on programmes of partnership between the two countries in the area of education, exploring issues relating to collaboration in the days to come. The meeting also dwelt on issues concerning the government's plan of establishing ' a school for children with autism' in all seven provinces of Nepal and its implementation. 

Minister Pokharel, who also serves as the Government's Spokesperson, apprised the UK Minister about the government's priorities and action plans. He requested the UK government to technically collaborate with Nepal to ensure quality education in an appropriate atmosphere for such children, hoping for its supports in the resource management and the production of a skilled workforce.  

Underlining the need for a paradigm shift in the restructuring of the education system, Minister Pokharel informed the government was committed to implementing specific teaching methods for children with unique needs and autism, while ensuring additional support mechanisms for their overall development. The Minister also expected the budgetary support and monetary assistance along with further cooperation for capacity enhancement through a handover of expertise and knowledge.

The UK Minister stressed the need to further strengthen Nepal-UK historic relations, development partnership and mutual interests in the days to come.

Stating that the UK Government has implemented programmes aiming to bring advance reforms in the education sector, she shared about the UK plans for more investment and partnership expansion in the countries like Nepal. 

Minister Malhotra also utilised the time to propose collaboration with universities in Nepal to introduce advanced British education programmes. The UK government is ready to make amendments to necessary legal provisions and expand partnership to promote the transnational education system, according to her. (RSS)