A major education overhaul is underway in Nepal, with the parliamentary subcommittee finalizing a draft of the new School Education Bill. This landmark reform includes a series of significant decisions aimed at transforming the national education system — most notably, the removal of the Secondary Education Examination (SEE).

While consensus has been reached on many key issues following extensive discussions between the government and the Teachers' Federation, debates continue around the role of private schools and the future of Early Childhood Development (ECD) classes. These unresolved matters will be discussed further by the parliamentary committee.

Key Agreements in the Education Reform Bill

·         SEE Examination to Be Discontinued: Grade 10 exams will now be conducted at the school level rather than nationally, aligning with Nepal’s shift to a 12-grade school education system.

·         Dissolution of District Education Offices: A move to streamline education governance and eliminate redundant structures.

·         Teacher Recruitment Quota: 60% of teachers will be appointed through internal competition, and 40% through open competition.

·         Retirement with Benefits: Teachers who do not qualify through the new system will be retired with existing benefits.

·         Provincial Headmaster Appointments: Headmasters will be selected through the Provincial Teacher Service Commission and will not be subject-specific.

·         Regulation of Private School Scholarships: New rules aim to enforce the 10% scholarship quota more strictly.

·         Transfer Rules: Teachers can transfer only after 5 years within a local unit, and after 7 years between provinces.

·         Special-Grade Positions: Two high-level teaching positions will be created in each province.

·         Promotion Policy: Teachers will now receive automatic promotions every 10 years.

·         Established Staffing: Official staffing positions will be set for school employees.

Subcommittee Work and Timeline

The subcommittee, led by MP Chhabilal Bishwakarma, was formed on Chaitra 8 (2081) and began clause-by-clause review from Chaitra 18. In 30 days, it held 39 meetings and submitted the final report after a 10-day extension. The report will be submitted to the committee on 2082-02-04.

Private Schools: No Final Agreement Yet

While the bill allows private schools to continue under the current company model, several MPs are advocating a shift to a non-profit trust (Guthi) system. Their proposal includes a transition period of 10–12 years, ensuring current students can complete their education without disruption.

However, disagreement persists:

·         Some MPs insist on a clear deadline for the transition.

·         Others argue that legal or practical barriers prevent converting company-registered schools into trusts.

·         The bill prohibits establishing new private schools under the company model, but does not mandate existing ones to convert — a clause still under debate.

ECD Integration Still Unresolved

There’s broad agreement that ECD should start at age 4 and last two years before Grade 1. However, the Ministry of Education is hesitant to formally integrate ECD into the school structure due to concerns over funding, staffing, and classroom requirements.

Private school operators are also opposed to a uniform ECD model, fearing it may interfere with their existing pre-primary programs.

Teacher Management and Career Development

The bill addresses long-standing issues around temporary and relief teachers:

·         45,000+ teachers in these categories will now compete for official posts through internal competition (60%) and open competition (40%).

·         Failed candidates will retire with benefits under current laws.

Headmasters will be chosen through a province-level merit system. A School Management Committee (SMC) will oversee governance, with parents leading basic schools and a larger committee structure at the secondary level.

Next Steps and Political Commitment

Since its registration in the House in Bhadra 2080, the bill has seen intense debate, with 161 MPs submitting 1,758 amendments. A 29-day protest by the Teachers' Federation accelerated action, prompting leaders across party lines to promise the bill’s passage in the current session.

Key figures, including Committee Chair Amar Bahadur Thapa, NC Whip Shyam Kumar Ghimire, and UML Whip Mahesh Bartola, have committed to passing the bill by Ashad 15.

This education reform bill, if passed, marks a transformative step toward decentralizing governance, promoting equity, and redefining the role of schools in Nepal’s evolving society.