Kathmandu- The matters published this week collectively voiced a clear message to the government to stop the politicization of Higher Education. As the date for retirement of VC of different universities comes close and process of appointment of next VC get revealed, multiple opinion articles, news reports, editorial and letters to the editor including cover page covered the issue appealing the government to end Politicization in appointment procedure at universities. Other matters stated the assessment of SEE results calling for timely reform and sincerity in practice to meet the policies in place, increase in students learning Chinese language at different levels, positive results of one nurse per school policy in province 3, the lack of transparency in the education policy work by the government among others. News about TU’s bachelor’s courses in humanities and social sciences to now become a four year program was also reported through an interview of the related department personal.

-    An editorial this week discussed why present has the best opportunity at historic scale for University Reform in Nepal. It stated that Universities are institutions that direct the nation, when in dilemma. Unfortunately at present state our universities are in crisis due to the political interest interfering in the procedures of the university. At present seven universities are to get their leaders appointed and this is a rare opportunity for the nation to redirect the culture and future of its higher institutions. The High Level National Commission on Education had called to form a 'Board of Trustee', suggesting continuity of the political appointment of leadership in academic institutions will destroy the future of these institutions. The editorial suggested that the search committee could openly call on for strategic plan proposal for the improvement of University and select the leadership based on such open and transparent process. It mentioned that the government has ignored such suggestion submitted by the Commission. It can be seen that the government is not ready to make universities a self-governing institution. Universities should be a platform for diverse opinion and evaluation of the society. It is the responsibility of the present 2/3rd majority government to maintain trust and hope of the public in its academic institutions stated the editorial.

Similar opinion where expressed in multiple other news and letter to the editorial. Dr. Kc had also released similar statement with specific recommendation and demands for the welfare of medical education. Another opinion article stated that different committees have suggestion to stop political appointment of academic institution position, but the present government appears not ready to accept it. A letter to the editor has appealed to end political appointment of the positions in university as it will bring in personals loyal to the party but lacking the needed innovative leadership and creative thinking. A visionary with understating of the present global trends and challenges of the future is the need of the time it stated. Another opinion article discussed in specific the leadership selection procedure and mentioned that the impact of a weak higher education institution will influence the growth and prosperity of a nation, as contextual and relevant knowledge formation gets delayed and degraded. The article questions the transparences in the process and procedures of the search committee for leadership selection of the universities.

The volume of articles and the unified common opinion from different articles clearly stated the call from the public to end political appointment of the leaders of the higher institutions. The government and political community on the other hand appears not ready to accept it to give away this traditional method of keeping hold of power, or power sharing. It can be analyzed that the political reform for a better future within academic institutions will have to wait until the political community gets this message more clearly, through dialogue or through election.

Front page of August-September 2019 (Bhadau 2073) Shikshak monthly covered an art stating that the Minister of Education should take the responsibility for the failure of education system. The art represents a report being eaten by rats, which is to symbolize the delay in release of the Report of High Level National Commission on Education. A major agenda discussed in the issue was about the recommendation to end political appointment and formation of ‘Board of Trustee’ to ensure leadership committed to the academic institution then political party.

-    The issue of ‘quality education’ is currently a major agenda on all fronts stated an opinion article. It stated that the classroom process is highly examination-centric, and improving the exam questions has the potential to positively affect the quality of education. Since Nepal’s current SEE questions measure mostly skills in rote learning, teachers see no reason to involve students in creative teaching activities. Establishing ‘quality education’ requires that we revise these exam questions to better assess a student’s capacity for critical thinking.

'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, Himal Weekly(Nepali) and Sikshak Monthly between August 14-20, 2019 (Sawan 29-Bhadra3, 2076) - Editor.

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