Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Tuesday said that the efforts made in the improvement of higher education in the country were insufficient, and that there would be a revision for its betterment.

Delivering the inaugural address at the Kantipur Education Summit 2080, Dahal stated that although improvements had been made in the education system and structure following the establishment of a federal democratic government, it has been proven insufficient.

“Since becoming a federal democratic republic, numerous efforts have been made to improve the education system of Nepal. Although changes have been made in the traditional policy, structure, and thought process, the opportunities and challenges brought by rapidly advancing technology have proven our efforts insufficient,” Dahal said.

Addressing the growing tendency of students to opt for abroad studies, the prime minister said that there was a need to review the existing education system.

“In recent times, there has been a growing negative notion among students that the country’s education is not of high quality and cannot compete on a global stage. Its direct impact has been the exodus of skilled manpower,” Dahal said. “Could it be that lack of patriotism and concern towards the nation and sovereignty in our curriculum is the reason for such thoughts? We must think about this seriously.”

Prime Minister Dahal also expressed his intent to introduce a meritocratic recruitment process at all levels of higher education.

“There will not be politicisation in universities anymore. Officials like the Vice-chancellor and other administrations will be recruited on the basis of merit. This will open doors for deserving candidates,” Dahal said. “The trust of students, guardians, and the general public in higher education and officials will grow.”

Dahal also assured that the education bill tabled in the parliament would be endorsed by addressing all legitimate concerns and issues of the education sector.

“An education bill has been tabled in the parliament after a long time under my initiative. As it has been a while since such a bill was introduced in the parliament, it is not uncommon for all stakeholders to clamour to have their concern addressed,” Dahal said.

“Above all else is our national interest… direction of progress and the development of the nation. For that, we must be ready to put aside our petty interests.”

Delivering a welcome speech at the summit, Kailash Sirohiya, Chairman of Kantipur Media Group, said there is a need for radical changes in higher education, not just bringing laws to improve the education sector in Nepal. He said that such programmes are being prioritised with a belief that there should be an all-sided public debate on issues concerning commoners. Sirohiya said there are doubts if the Education Bill will incorporate all issues as major political parties differ on the bill.