Stakeholders urge government not to pass 3% education equity fee onto parents

KATHMANDU: Stakeholders have urged the government to reconsider the three percent education equity fee introduced from the current fiscal year, arguing that it places an additional financial burden on parents.

Speaking at an interaction program titled ‘Education Dialogue: The Three Percent Equity Fee, Policy Challenges and Responsibilities of the Private Sector’, organized by Khabar Education in Kathmandu on Friday, participants stressed that the government should clearly explain the purpose of the fee and how the collected funds will be utilized.

Former Finance Minister Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada said it is unrealistic to assume that all parents whose children attend private schools are financially well-off. He argued that the government should first identify priority areas for investment in community schools and formulate a clear plan before imposing such a fee.

Milan Pandey, former head of the education department of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), said the government has prioritized improving the quality of community schools and introduced the education equity fee as a means of mobilizing resources for that purpose.

Former Nepal Parents’ Federation President Suprabhat Bhandari said the fee would add to the financial burden on parents and urged the government to seriously review its potential impact.

Former Private and Boarding Schools’ Organisation Nepal (PABSON) President DK Dhungana suggested that instead of imposing additional taxes or fees on education, the government should adopt policies that provide relief to parents.

Similarly, National Private and Boarding Schools’ Association (National PABSON) President Subas Neupane said many countries do not levy such taxes or fees on education and urged the government to introduce alternative support measures instead of the education equity fee.

Participants at the interaction agreed that while raising financial resources for the education sector is a positive objective, the government should adopt long-term and equitable policies that do not place the burden directly on parents.