EDUCATION NEWS IN NEPAL
Government Reveals Rs1.75 Trillion Budget for the Upcoming Fiscal Year in Education Sector
Date: May 30, 2083
Introduction:
The government has announced a significant increase in the budget allocated to the education sector for the upcoming financial year 2080/81. The total allocation of Rs1.75 Trillion accounting for 11.26 percent of the overall budget, demonstrates the government’s commitment to prioritizing education and creating a knowledgeable and empowered society.
The Finance Minister, Dr. Prakashsharan Mahat, highlights the government’s dedication to providing quality education and enhancing access for all citizens.
Key Points of the Expanded Education Sector Budget:
- The government has decided to maintain existing programs and initiatives in the education sector, aiming to ensure continuity and stability.
- The budget focuses on creating a modern and technologically advanced education system that equips students with practical skills, prepares them for professions, and fosters a research-oriented mindset.
- Technical education receives significant investment to improve its overall quality and align with the evolving job market’s demands.
- The government continues its scholarship program for economically disadvantaged, Dalit, marginalized, and female students nationwide, with an allocation of three billion and two million rupees.
- The midday meal program in public schools is sustained, with a budget allocation of eight billion 45 crore rupees, benefiting approximately 32 lakh students. The distribution of junk food during these meals is prohibited to promote healthier eating habits.
- A budget of one billion 40 crore rupees is allocated for the free distribution of sanitary pads to school girls, benefiting around 10 lakh students.
- Free textbooks, along with electronic copies of curricula and textbooks, will be provided to all students in community schools, supported by an allocation of three billion 58 million rupees.
- Teacher positions will be reviewed based on subject and student ratios, ensuring adequate staffing in secondary and basic schools. An allocation of three billion 69 million rupees is made to support the availability of English, mathematics, and science teachers in vacant positions.
- Residential scholarships will be arranged for students from remote and Himalayan regions, while the program of providing basic education in students’ mother tongues will continue.
- Scholarships for Musahar, Dom, and Chamar students pursuing higher education in medicine are continued.
- Traditional education systems, including Gurukul, Madrasah, and Gumba, will be integrated into the formal education system to promote inclusivity and diversity.
- Inclusive measures include providing sign language and braille textbooks free of charge to ensure accessibility for students with disabilities.
- The Presidential Educational Reform Program will continue with a focus on feasibility studies and preparatory work for the establishment of model residential community schools in Dhankuta, Bardibas, Tansen, Surkhet, and Dadeldhura.
In Conclusion: The increased budget allocation for the education sector in the upcoming financial year reflects the government’s dedication to education and its commitment to creating a knowledgeable and empowered society. Through various initiatives, scholarships, and program continuations, the government aims to enhance access to quality education, promote inclusivity, and prepare students for future challenges.
Attribution: Ministry of Finance, Government of Nepal
Multimedia: N/A
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