KATHMANDU: A taskforce formed to revise the school level national curriculum framework has begun works.

The revision follows the decision of the meeting chaired by Minister for Education and Sports, Sashmit Pokharel, on April 24.

The panel coordinated by Professor Dr Balchandra Luitel, Dean of School of Education in Kathmandu University, has been mandated to revise the curriculum in a way it would cater education that pays heed to national need along with democratic values.

Professor Luitel said, “We are focused on the educational production that is suitable to present needs- social norms, discipline and democratic values. We’re working in the similar spirit.”

The taskforce is given five months’ term to prepare report, thereby furnishing recommendation. The report would make recommendations that helps review and restructure the school education, according to taskforce member Dr Minakshi Dahal.

The members of the taskforce are Dr Lekhnath Paudel, Dr Dahal, Dr Amina Singh, Pabitra Bahadur Gautam, Dr Pramod Bhatta, Gyanendra Malla, Sagendra Shrestha, Richa Neupane and Rewati Karki. Director General at Curriculum Development Centre, Yubraj Paudel, is the member secretary of the panel.

Professor Luitel shared that curriculum would be updated to bring reform in school education- going beyond rote-learning to social and moral education that nurtures good hearts. They are planning to hold broad discussion with the concerned experts and stakeholders.

Thematic study has begun as part of the assignment, Dr Dahal said, adding that both online and in-person interactions would be held for it.

We are in need of making our school education practical, timely and quality so that it would be enriched with life skills. Both the local and global needs would be considered while conducting study and making recommendation, she added.

The new framework is expected to contribute to achievements relating to the Sustainable Development Goals. Recommendation would be made on the issues such as culture, communications, human rights promotion, gender-friendly issues and emerging global trends.

The Ministry of Education has already decided to close the internal examination system up to Grade 5 from the upcoming academic year.