This news reports on the significant achievements of the current government’s first 100 days in the education and sports sectors, focusing on reforms in examination systems, university governance, and digital service expansion.
Since the current government was formed, there has been notable progress in improving the examination system, enhancing governance in universities, expanding digital services, and making service delivery more effective.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has prioritized making exam systems from secondary to university levels more timely. It also focused on streamlining the Foreign Study Permit (NOC) service, freeing universities from political interference, and expanding digital services across the country.
Faster Exam Results and Streamlined Services
According to Ministry Spokesperson Shivakumar Sapkota, results for the Secondary Education Examination (SEE), Class 12, and university-level exams is now being published faster than before. Moving forward, SEE results will be released within one month of the exam, Class 12 results within 40 days, and university results within 65 days.
This new system is part of the government’s ‘Hundred-Point Action Plan’ for governance reform. This action plan states that universities and the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) must announce exam results within two months, and undergraduate and postgraduate results should follow the academic calendar.
To make the Foreign Study Permit (NOC) distribution system more effective, it has been linked via API with the data systems of Tribhuvan University and Kathmandu University. The Ministry also stated that integration with National Identity Card (NIN) system is almost complete. Furthermore, NOC and academic certificate verification services are now available even on holidays.
Focus on University Reforms
The Ministry reported an intensified campaign to end political interference in universities. Preparations are underway to stop providing university buildings or land to student organizations, remove party symbols, and implement ‘Student Council’ and ‘Voice of Students’ systems. The Ministry mentioned that the guideline for this is in its final stages.
The Ministry claims that academic calendars are currently implemented in nine universities.
Over the past three months, the Ministry has issued 40,413 NOCs, verified 12,210 academic certificates, and monitored 56 educational institutions affiliated with foreign universities. The Ministry’s progress report also noted that all 212 complaints received through Hello Sarkar have been resolved.
Action Against Study Leave Misuse
Approximately Rs 50 crore has been recovered so far from the nearly Rs two arba due from about 400 Tribhuvan University professors who went on study leave but did not return within the specified period.
Improvements in School Education
The Ministry announced that for students up to Class 5, the traditional internal examination has been replaced with an alternative assessment system to reduce psychological pressure. A system has also been put in place for children without birth certificates to be admitted to school based on details certified by local bodies.
The University Grants Commission is preparing to issue the necessary procedures to ensure that citizenship is not compulsory for students studying up to the bachelor’s level.
Digital and Administrative Enhancements
The Ministry stated it has advanced work on an e-pension card system for teachers, the final draft of national quality standards for school education, implementation of regulations related to cooperative academic degree programs, and service delivery restructuring (Business Process Re-engineering – BPR).
The Ministry also mentioned that digital signature verification, expansion of the GIOHMS system, establishment of a help desk for grievance management, and listing and implementation of various commission reports have begun.
Research, Budget, and Academic Initiatives
The Ministry reported publishing Educational Information 2083 and completing a comprehensive review and policy analysis of research conducted by the Ministry and its subordinate bodies. Reports from 560 undergraduate and six postgraduate scholarship students who completed their studies and returned have been received and sent to relevant authorities.
The Medium-Term Expenditure Framework report has been sent to the National Planning Commission, and budget limits received from the Ministry of Finance have also been sent to relevant bodies.
A total of 1,632 students, comprising 629 from Class 10 and 1,003 from Class 12, have been granted equivalence. To improve learning achievement tests for Classes 3, 5, 8, and 10, the national assessment policy guideline is in its final stage, and the assessment framework has been prepared, according to the Ministry.
The Ministry stated that the final draft of the national quality standard for school education is ready, and an agreement has been reached between the Medical Education Commission and the Policy Research Institute to study the Medical Education Commission’s scope, scholarship management, fee determination, and operational system, with research already started.
University Leadership Selection
After most university officials appointed through political means were removed from their posts, temporary arrangements were made for daily administration. The selection of new officials through a fair and competitive process is now in its final stage. Interviews and presentations for the selection of vice-chancellors for eight universities began on Saturday.
Support for GenZ Movement Affected Families
Programs for employment, skill development, psychosocial counseling, and rehabilitation for families and citizens affected by the GenZ movement have been launched. These initiatives are managed through the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training, with an action plan targeting over 76 beneficiaries in government, public, and private sectors.
Ministry Spokesperson Sapkota said these programs will enhance good governance in the education sector, make service delivery effective, ensure quality education, and make educational institutions more accountable.
AI Disclaimer: This article was originally published on https://bajarkochirfar.com. It has been translated with the help of AI. For the best understanding and accurate facts, we recommend reading the original Nepali version.
