KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology has announced the postponement of the ‘President Educational Reform Programme’ due to delays in the selection of schools.

Initially allocated a budget of Rs 1 billion for the current fiscal year, the programme faced setbacks as the selection process for schools lagged behind schedule.

Amidst concerns and complaints regarding resource distribution and utilization, a meeting chaired by Education Minister Sumana Shrestha concluded to defer the programme and notify the Ministry of Finance accordingly.

Public opinions have highlighted the need to prioritize budget allocation for school infrastructure reconstruction in areas affected by the Jajarkot earthquake, as well as the funding shortage for operating model public schools in marginalized settlements such as Musahars and Chepangs.

In response, the Education Minister’s private secretariat affirmed that the ministry will shift its focus towards educational development in these areas in the upcoming fiscal year.

The decision to postpone the ‘President Educational Reform Programme’ underscores the importance of addressing immediate educational needs while ensuring effective budget management and resource allocation for comprehensive educational reform in Nepal.