KATHMANDU: The federal government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah has come under sharp criticism after its decision to ban entrance preparation classes and bridge courses triggered controversy, prompting the Education Ministry to remove the related notice from its website.
Minister for Education, Science and Technology Sasmita Pokharel had earlier made the decision public through social media, with the official letter also published on the ministry’s website. The announcement quickly went viral, drawing widespread attention.
While some sections supported the move, calling it a step toward reducing inequality in education, the decision also sparked significant backlash. Confusion deepened after multiple and seemingly contradictory notices were issued within a short span.
Initially, the ministry clarified that the ban would apply only to students up to Grade 12. Minister Pokharel reiterated that all entrance preparation and bridge courses targeting school-level students would be fully halted.
At the same time, ministry spokesperson Shiva Kumar Sapkota issued a separate statement claiming that the decision would be fully enforced from April 14, warning that institutions violating the rule would face legal action.
The statement argued that such courses create psychological pressure on students, widen inequality in access to education, and impose unnecessary financial burdens on families.
However, despite the strong public messaging, both the official notice and the statement were removed from the ministry’s website later the same day, fueling speculation that the government may have backtracked under pressure.
The abrupt move has left students, parents, and educational institutions in uncertainty, with some institutes already beginning to shut down their entrance preparation programs following the announcement.
With no fresh clarification from the ministry, concerns are growing over policy inconsistency and its impact on the education sector.
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