GORKHA: Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Bidya Bhattarai, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to prioritizing education through increased investment.
Addressing the Golden Jubilee and Parents’ Day celebrations of Shree Saraswati Secondary School in Ahale, Gorkha Municipality-8, on Friday, she acknowledged that current investments are insufficient to improve education quality.
“The government’s current investment in education is only 10 percent of the total budget, which is inadequate. This should be increased to 20 percent, with contributions from federal, provincial, and local governments,” Bhattarai said.
She emphasized the need for collaborative efforts and conscious community participation to elevate the standards of community schools.
Highlighting the constitutional mandate and international commitments to bolster education funding, the minister called for a shift in societal attitudes.
“We must challenge the notion that institutional schools are inherently better than public schools. There are numerous examples of individuals who have excelled through education in public schools,” she said, urging collective efforts to strengthen these institutions.
Bhattarai stressed that the government is addressing legal and regulatory challenges to develop the education sector.
“Education today is about more than access; it’s about quality—what kind of school, teachers, textbooks, and teaching methods are available,” she said.
As the government strives for comprehensive improvements in the education system, the minister reiterated the importance of shared responsibility among communities and all levels of government to ensure a brighter future for public education in Nepal.
Comment