Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel has stated that policy-level and structural reforms aimed at improving higher education in Nepal are moving forward rapidly. Speaking at a high-level dialogue program organized by the Ministry of Education and Sports in Simara, he shared that the drafting of a new education act and the preparation of the National Curriculum Framework are currently underway simultaneously.
Addressing the specific educational environment in Madhesh, the Minister emphasized that grassroots voices are vital for achieving genuine reforms. He noted that deskbound policymaking often ignores local requirements and ground realities, adding that the dialogue initiative was designed to gather insights directly from local representatives and stakeholders.
Focus on Specialization and Educational Quality
Expressing concern over the current expansion and management of academic institutions, Minister Pokharel stressed that simply increasing the number of higher education institutions is ineffective. He remarked that operating fifteen conventional universities serves little purpose and called instead for the development of specialized universities tailored to modern needs.
The Minister also warned that academic excellence cannot be attained through arbitrary increases in student enrollment or the indiscriminate granting of college affiliations. In addition to boosting internal standards, he highlighted the importance of making Nepal an attractive destination for foreign students seeking higher education.
Concluding his address, Minister Pokharel called for a technology-friendly, skill-based education system that prioritizes academic quality, reiterating that transformations in both technical and school-level education must remain firmly rooted in local realities.
