Educationists, professors and civil society leaders have criticised the Balendra Shah-led government for introducing university reforms that they claim tighten the prime minister’s grip on universities instead of curtailing political interference.

The criticism follows a series of ordinances that removed vice-chancellors, rectors and registrars from 16 universities, along with senior officials from health science academies.

While the government argues that the changes are necessary to end partisan influence and ensure merit-based appointments, critics say the ordinances have centralised power in the hands of the prime minister, who also serves as university chancellor.

The debate has revived long-standing concerns over political influence in Nepal’s universities. A 2018 report prepared by the High-Level National Education Commission had recommended removing the prime minister from the role of chancellor in all universities and replacing the system with a board of trustees led by academics and experts.

Former education ministers Sumana Shrestha and Mahabir Pun had also pushed for reforms to separate political leadership from university administration.

Educationist Bidya Nath Koirala, professor at Tribhuvan University and a member of the High-Level National Education Commission, said the government has moved in the opposite direction. “Making the prime minister chancellor was a flawed idea from the beginning. The prime minister must be removed from the role,” said Koirala. “Changing university officials whenever the government changes is completely wrong.”

The government recently amended the Tribhuvan University Act 1992 and laws governing other universities through ordinances. The amendments removed institutional representation of the Nepal Professors’ Association, Tribhuvan University Teachers’ Association, employees’ unions and Free Student Union representatives from university senates. Instead, the prime minister, acting as chancellor, will now directly nominate professors, students and employees to the senate.

Under the previous arrangement, the professors’ association, teachers’ association and employees’ association each nominated one representative, while two representatives from the Free Student Union also served in the senate. The new provision allows the chancellor to appoint five teachers including two women, two student representatives including one woman, and one employees’ representative.

Critics say the amendments have weakened checks and balances within universities and reduced opportunities for debate. “One of the senate’s roles was to question decisions and give room for dissent,” said a Tribhuvan University professor asking not to be named for fear of reprisal. “Now the prime minister will appoint the members, present the agenda and influence decisions. Direct political control is likely to grow stronger.”

Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel defended the government’s decision, saying the reforms are part of a phased plan to depoliticise educational institutions. In a response sent through his secretariat, Pokharel said the first phase focuses on removing party influence and political interference from campuses, while the second phase would seek to remove the prime minister and education minister from the positions of chancellor and co-chancellor.

“The government’s immediate priority is to end partisan influence and political interference in educational institutions. Appointments will now be made on the basis of merit,” said Pokharel. He argued that removing the prime minister and education minister from their university roles immediately could have created a larger institutional vacuum because several senior positions are already vacant.

Even under the Tribhuvan University Act-1971, when the then king served as chancellor, most members of the university assembly could be nominated by the chancellor. However, student and teacher representatives were appointed from among those elected by their respective groups. Education experts and academics say the new provision now allows even student and teacher representatives to be appointed directly at the prime minister’s discretion.

Ramesh Kumar Joshi, president of the Nepal Professors’ Association, said the government should explain what kind of university model it wants to establish. “If universities do not belong to professors, students and employees, then who do they belong to? Why should the prime minister personally choose senate representatives” asked Joshi.

Basant Dhakal, president of the Tribhuvan University Teachers’ Association, also said that the ordinances undermine academic freedom and discourage critical debate. “Even during the monarchy and the Panchayat era, elected representatives of professors and students were present in university assemblies. Removing them now sends the wrong message,” said Dhakal.

Student representatives have also protested against the changes. Deepak Raj Joshi from Tribhuvan University Central Campus and Bishnu Pokharel, Free Student Union chair at the Prithvi Narayan Campus in Pokhara, were the members of the Tribhuvan University senate. They said the ordinances weaken democratic practices within universities.

In a joint statement, they accused the government of increasing political interference by removing representatives elected through democratic processes.

Analysts say the dispute reflects a wider struggle over the future direction of higher education in Nepal. Universities have frequently faced criticism over delayed examinations, leadership disputes, politically influenced appointments and declining academic standards.

Civil society leaders object to university ordinance reforms

Civil society leaders have also objected to the ordinances, arguing that the government is using the language of reform to expand political influence over universities.

In a joint statement on May 4, prominent civil society leaders including Nilambar Acharya and Pitambar Sharma criticised the government’s actions.

“We oppose direct interference in academic freedom in the name of ending politicisation. Removing office bearers through ordinances in a manner reminiscent of the old ‘Pajani’ system undermines due process, legal norms and institutional independence,” read the statement.

The signatories warned that the government’s actions could pave the way for politicisation and one-party control. They also objected to attempts to restrict student unions and professional organisations based on political ideology. “Freedom of association is a democratic right. Using reform as a pretext to weaken constitutional rights is deeply concerning,” the statement said.

Applications invited for vice-chancellor appointments

The government, meanwhile, has started the process of appointing new vice-chancellors in eight universities under the amended laws.

On May 8, a recommendation committee formed to select vice-chancellors called applications for vacancies at Tribhuvan University, Purbanchal University, Pokhara University, Lumbini Buddhist University, Agriculture and Forestry University, Mid-West University, Far-Western University and Rajarshi Janak University. Applicants have been given 10 days to submit applications through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology’s website.

The recommendation committee, led by Education Minister Pokharel, includes Education Secretary Chudamani Paudel and National Planning Commission member Reshu Aryal Dhungana.

According to the ministry, candidates will be evaluated on a 100-point scale, including their vision papers and work plans. The amended laws also specify qualifications for vice-chancellors, rectors and registrars for the first time.

Vice-chancellor candidates must hold a PhD, have at least 10 years of academic or research experience and be at least 40 years old. Subject-specific universities require candidates to hold doctoral degrees in related fields. Similarly, registrars must possess at least a master’s degree and 10 years of experience in research or management.