The ministry's announcement regarding the decision to close entrance and bridge course classes has been removed from the website.
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The government's decision to close entrance exam preparation classes (entrance) and bridge courses has been met with both praise and criticism. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology issued a statement on Sunday stating that it would close entrance and bridge courses for various classes and levels of higher education. The decision was immediately shared on media and social media. Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel was being praised for taking the appropriate decision. After Minister Pokharel himself made another statement stating that he had decided to close entrance and bridge courses only up to grade 12, criticism has begun saying that there is a contradiction in the minister's decision. The ministry's spokesperson and joint secretary, Shiva Kumar Sapkota, issued a press release announcing that it had decided to close entrance exam preparation classes and bridge courses targeting admissions at various levels. The ministry's statement states that it has been decided to completely close such classes from April 1, 2083, making a ministerial decision.
The press release states that various organizations have stopped programs in the name of entrance exam preparation classes and bridge courses. The ministry has stated that if such programs are run, the concerned district administration offices will be requested to monitor and take action as per the prevailing law. ‘It has been found that various organizations have been running programs in the name of entrance exam preparation classes and bridge courses targeting admissions before the start of the admission process in various classes of the school level and various levels of higher education,’ the press release says. ‘Such programs are likely to have a negative impact on the psychology of students and equitable access to education and also impose an unnecessary financial burden on students.’ Minister Pokharel issued an urgent notice on Sunday evening and announced that it has been decided to completely stop all types of entrance preparation and bridge course classes targeting students up to grade 12. He reiterated that the decision will be applicable only up to grade 12.
After the minister’s notice, the ministry has removed the statement from the website. Madhav Bhusal wrote on social media, ‘The Education Minister has changed his mind after his own decision was made in 2 hours.’
Ministry officials said that the decision to close entrance and bridge courses from school to higher education was made in accordance with the minister’s intention and a press release was issued accordingly. ‘If there is a difference in intention, decision and understanding, we will correct it,’ the official said.
Spokesperson Sapkota said that the ministry’s official position will be made public after the discussion on Monday. After giving the SEE exam, entrance and bridge courses are conducted for admission to grade 11 in various subjects including science, management, A-level. After grade 12, such classes are also conducted for admission to faculties including medical education, engineering, science and technology. Such preparatory classes are also conducted for going abroad for higher education.
