'Local level should take priority to implement free education'

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has published an action plan for the implementation of the Compulsory and Free Education Act 2075 and Regulations 2077.

The stakeholders have pointed out that the legal system can be implemented only if the local government takes the lead.

As the right of school level education is at the local level, there is also an obligation to provide compulsory and free education for children. But he suggested that the central government should also support the local level. The policy research institute discussed the implementation of the action plan in the capital Kathmandu on Wednesday.

Former Minister of Education and Deputy Secretary General of Maoist Center Girirajmani Pokharel said that the right to compulsory and free education provided by the constitution can be implemented if the municipality takes the lead. He said that even though the Corona epidemic has delayed the implementation of the Act issued in 2075, it should be implemented now. "The local level should make an action plan rather than from the top," he said, "If all three levels of government cooperate, compulsory education up to class 8 and free education up to class 12 can be provided to local people with less resources." He said that the central government should provide financial support to the level and go ahead with the implementation of the law. Some of the stakeholders criticized that the political parties put free education in the constitution, which cannot be implemented. Some speakers said that the state cannot afford it and should amend the constitution and remove the free provision. Former education minister Pokharel mentioned that free and compulsory education has been arranged as a fundamental right after political discussion and said that implementation is possible.

Dakshinkali Municipality Kathmandu Mayor Mohan Basnet said that free education can be implemented if all three governments cooperate and coordinate. He demanded that the central and state governments should help the local level for that.

Durgadatta, Chairman of Zorayal Rural Municipality located in Doti, pointed out that free education can be implemented if the local government is trusted. He also complained that although the union has provided for free education in the constitution and the law, it has been stingy in investing in schools. Ojha also told that due to the lack of investment in remote schools, they have to charge fees. The Ministry of Education has projected that a budget of 2 trillion 30 billion will be needed to implement the Act. But currently, only 1 trillion 47 billion budget has been allocated to the education sector.

Budhanilkanth Municipality Deputy Mayor Anita Lama said that the local level can ensure free and compulsory education. He said, "We have declared Budhanilkanth as a municipality that ensures free and compulsory education. We have been allocating the budget by giving priority to education and health." Lama said that the enrollment rate and the quality of education have also increased by paying attention to the improvement of public education.

Educationist Vidyanath Koirala stated that the responsibility of implementation of compulsory and free education lies with the local level and commented that it is wrong for the center to make an action plan. Questioning whether it is possible to give free education to everyone, he added, "If it is not possible, people should not be deceived by the fact that it is free." He expressed concern about the implementation of free education and suggested that those who can afford it should be charged a fee and those who can't should be given free education.

Educationist Min Bahadur Bista said that it should be implemented only after taking into account whether free education can be provided or not. Mentioning that the model of free education in different countries of the world is different, he pointed out that success in implementation can be achieved only after it is clear which model to implement first. He suggested that schools should be empowered for free education. Educationist Bista requested to manage the resources so that the school is not financially burdened. He said that even though it is said to be free due to lack of finances, the government schools are charging fees.

Free education state can't afford pre-education secretary Khagraj Baral said . "The law on free education has been issued under political pressure, the government cannot provide enough money according to the current budget," he said, "free education cannot be implemented, even if it is removed by amending the constitution." Director Rama Khatiwada opined that free education can be implemented if the three levels of government consider it a common responsibility and the municipality considers it their responsibility. Jawaharlal Hamal, Head of Education Division, Ministry of Social Development, Karnali Province, commented that the system of compulsory and free education could not be implemented due to lack of a clear vision of the state. 'Policy programs should be made according to the law,' he said, 'If the law cannot be implemented, free education will be removed by amending the constitution.' The day ends. "The union and the state need help," he said, "Tokha municipality is ready to implement free education." . The private school owners complained that the government did not make it clear whether free education is available only in public schools or in private schools as well.

The government can provide free education by providing vouchers according to student costs, said Ashish Shrestha, vice president of Pabs. "The government has been making a distinction between public and private schools," he said, "does the state take responsibility for children studying in private schools or not?"

Education Minister Vidya Bhattarai has said that a blueprint has been prepared for the implementation of the Act. He said that after receiving the suggestions of stakeholders, the action plan will be finalized and implemented. After being appointed as a minister, she has been promising to implement the said Act. Chairman of Policy Research Center Lekhnath Sharma said that the suggestions from the discussion will be submitted to the Ministry of Education.