KATHMANDU: Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel held talks on Friday with visiting UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Minister for Equalities Seema Malhotra.
During the meeting at the Ministry in Singha Durbar, the two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the long-standing diplomatic relationship between Nepal and the United Kingdom, while expanding strategic cooperation in education and sports, according to the ministry.
Minister Malhotra, the UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Indo-Pacific, arrived in Kathmandu on Friday morning for a three-day official visit.
The meeting also focused on partnership programmes in the education sector and explored opportunities for future collaboration. Discussions included the government’s plan to establish schools for children with autism in all seven provinces and the modalities for implementing the initiative.
Minister Pokharel, who also serves as the government spokesperson, briefed the UK minister on the government’s priorities and action plans. He requested technical cooperation from the UK to help ensure quality education for children with autism in a supportive environment, particularly in resource management and skilled workforce development.
Emphasizing the need for structural reforms in the education system, Minister Pokharel said the government is committed to introducing specialized teaching methods and support mechanisms for children with autism and other special needs. He also expressed hope for budgetary assistance, technical expertise, and capacity-building support from the UK.
Minister Malhotra stressed the importance of further strengthening Nepal-UK historical ties, development cooperation, and shared interests in the years ahead.
She noted that the UK government has been implementing programmes aimed at advancing reforms in the education sector and expressed the UK’s interest in increasing investment and expanding partnerships in countries like Nepal.
Malhotra also proposed collaboration with Nepali universities to introduce advanced British education programmes. According to her, the UK government is prepared to amend necessary legal provisions and broaden cooperation to promote transnational education systems.
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