December 23: The National Education Conference concluded in the capital on Friday, December 21. The two-day conference organised by the High Level National Education Commission at Budanilkantha School discussed on various issues of the draft prepared for the formulation of new education policy in the country. The draft was prepared based on the suggestions and ideas accumulated by the commission from experts and stakeholders from all seven provinces of the country.

According to Minister for Education, Giriraj Mani Pokharel, the new education policy will fit the federal structure of the country. He said that the new education policy will be prepared according to the current need of the nation to ensure quality education.

The minister further said that Nepal has been adopting education policy prepared by foreign education consultants but the new policy will be native to the country. Pokharel also said that subjects such as yoga, agriculture, veterinary science, forestry will be included in the secondary level education. Technical subjects will also to be included in the curriculum of the secondary level education.

During the event, discussions were held on different issues related to education including curriculum for secondary level, teachers’ qualification, services, remuneration and the country’s education scenario. The education draft has mentioned that a secondary level teacher should have secured first division or ‘B+’ grade in his/her Master’s Degree. Similarly, teachers’ remuneration will be up to 10 percent more as compared to the people holding the same grades in other government posts. The draft aims to attract excellent candidates in education profession in the secondary level and other schools.

Likewise, the draft has mentioned that the maximum period of any teacher to be appointed in a particular school will be of five years after which he/she will be transferred automatically. Women candidates are given high priority in the profession and one Dalit teacher is made compulsory for each school in the Dalit community.

Likewise, the event also highlighted that education curriculum will be updated in due course of time.