Kathmandu- This week most of the media reports covered the issue of irregularities in medical college and student’s protest in the issue. Issues of delay in appointment of officials in higher education institutions, universities were also reported this week. News of corruption in higher education and arrest of some officials and principal of schools was also covered in the media. The case of Nepalese students receiving stipend in Indian higher education institution was also covered in the media. A news reported students’ protest against principal’s delay in appointment of subject teachers in a school. Chinese language curriculum as an optional subject was also announced through the media this week. An opinion article this week stated about the need for contextual real life assignments in schools to help students associate education with reality.

- In a public debate on 'Universities and Political sharing' organized by Nepal student union , Ktm, former ministers stated they were dismayed by the increasing politicization of education sector; former education ministers warned that growing political intervention in academic institution was detrimental to quality education in the long run while he also blamed his own party NC for establishing the culture of political seat-sharing in academic sector; former education minister and NCP lawmaker recalled his failed attempt in stopping politicization and stressed in choosing right candidates from rooster of academicians; NC leader and NSU general secretary mentioned that govt should move ahead to replace the existing Education act with new one and form an independent commission to appoint qualified persons as office bearers at Universities.

- Minister of education science and technology was reported stating teachers should be committed to their schools and not to political parties, speaking at province-level interaction. He said teachers active in politics would not be able to impart quality education to students. He also asked local level not to interfere with school and administration and stressed the need to connect education with technology to usher development in country. He also expressed concern about Nepali language being low prioritized and urged schools should also teach about cultural, social and family values.

- Chairman of Nepal Teachers' Federation was reported stating the role of teachers was significant in bringing about revolutionary changes in the country speaking at the inauguration of convention of Nepal teachers association in Damauli. He said teachers were not receiving the credit they deserved though their role was important in bringing positive change urging the government to be serious about addressing demands of teachers. He appealed that temporary teachers have to be given permanent status and uniform should be offered to school staffers.

Such statements from teacher’s union still demanding temporary teachers to be made permanent while demanding to appreciate teacher’s role in politics states that teachers are still backed by strong political forces. The public appeal to end political affiliation and attempts of local governments to ensure fresh updated teachers in public schools seems of less significance to teachers’ unions.

- Supreme Court vacated the stay order issued against Institute of Medicine barring it from conducting entrance exam for MBBS program. After hearing from both parties, SC said that there was a provision in national medical education act which stated that the merit list will be maintained as per entrance exam conducted by universities and academies until medical education commission started conducting entrance examinations. Petitioners had argued that medical institutions planned to conduct MBBS entrance exams without allocating 75% scholarship seats, a mandatory provision in newly passed National medical education act.

- The lack of priority in implementing the new medical education policy, has resulted in schools still charging higher fees than instructed by the policy. The government had established a new Act to regulate irregularities in medical education six months ago. Medical education Commission is yet to complete. The insufficient monitoring by Universities has also given Private colleges freedom to charge fee on will. Private Medical Collage has been charging extra fees sometimes double the fee permitted by law. Education Ministry had instructed the Colleges to return extra fees in a month. The Institutions have been demanding the government to raise the fees instead. Minister's Council has decided to take action against the institutions through District office. The Education and Health Committee of the Parliament had formed a sub committee to investigate the irregulars. The students went back to strike after the committee submitted a report in support of the medical colleges. Medical colleges in Pokhara and Chitwan have been shut down for 20 days due to student's strike. This week 15 medical students were also arrested while participating in strike against the private medical institutions.

- The government was reported to direct Private schools to not to delay to register in Social Security program. Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Security had appealed this in a program conducted by PABSON (Private & Boarding Schools Organization). The minister informed the government is obliged to regulate institutions to ensure all procedures from payments to operation are happening through procedures ensured by law. The Minister had also informed that the private schools were given the dateline of October end to register itself in the Social Security Scheme.  The program would benefit the teacher and other school staffs informed the minister. The program has been intended to import the health of the institution, and welfare, dignity, productivity and security of the staffs.

- Province government's interest in quality improvement of public schools in Province 3 was reported this week. Social Development Ministry of Province 3, has developed multiple programs to improve all the public schools in its area. The ministry had organized discussion between best 16 schools of the region, and discussed about infrastructure development, library establishment, sports activities and teacher's appointment issues. The province had dedicated 1.7 billion rupees, with specific budgets for e-library establishment in 5 schools, hostel faculties and daughter’s education scholarship program.

'Education this Week' is a joint effort put to analyze the press coverage of education in Nepal’s selected print media published in Kathmandu. The main aim of this effort is to identify and explain major education issues picked up by the media and give back and foreground of the news. This, we believe, will help policy makers and other responsible people to keep abreast with ongoing concerns and discussions on and around education. EduKhabar, in collaboration with the Center for Educational Policies and Practices (CEPP) , has produced this analysis based on the news printed in Kantipur (Nepali) and The Himalayan Times (English), Dailies and Himal Weekly(Nepali) between Sept 11-17, 2019 (Bhadra 25-31, 2076) - Editor.

Read this analysis in Nepali : मनपरी शुल्क विरुद्ध विद्यार्थीको आन्दोलन

Read last week’s analysis : Students take teacher’s attendance, Concerns of Higher Education

All analysis read by this link : Education This week