KATHMANDU: Lawmakers, policymakers, education experts and rights activists have called for the proposed School Education Bill to guarantee the constitutional right to free and quality education, stressing that public education must remain a state responsibility.
Speaking at a discussion on the proposed bill organized on Sunday by the National Campaign for Education (NCE) Nepal during its 17th annual general assembly, participants called for a clear division of responsibilities among the federal, provincial and local governments, as well as adequate budget allocations for education.
National Human Rights Commission Chair Tap Bahadur Magar said that although education had improved, progress remained insufficient. He called for child-friendly and inclusive education, safer schools and minimum infrastructure.
Lawmakers from different parties stressed the need to incorporate stakeholders’ concerns into the bill. They also called for allocating at least 20 percent of the national budget to education, clarifying the division of powers among the three tiers of government and ensuring that no external interests dominate the bill-making process.
Education experts said the bill must establish clear mechanisms for implementing the constitutional provision of compulsory and free education at the local level.
NCE Nepal Chair Lab Raj Oli said the organization, which has networks in 46 districts and 550 members, would submit recommendations to the government after incorporating suggestions from stakeholders.
