Education act to be passed soon, Assures Home Minister Lekhak

Dhangadhi: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has assured that the Education Act, currently under consideration in Parliament, will be passed soon.

Speaking at the inauguration of the fourth session of the Private and Residential Schools Organization (PABSON) Sudurpaschim Committee in Dhangadhi on Monday, Minister Lekhak emphasized the government's commitment to safeguarding private, institutional, and residential schools. "Your investment will be protected and will not go to waste," he said, urging private school operators to ensure self-improvement, warning that government intervention could become necessary if they fail to do so.

Acknowledging the significant role of private, institutional, and residential schools in Nepal’s education sector, the Home Minister clarified that community schools have not deteriorated due to the existence of private institutions. He rejected the notion of creating competition between the two sectors, asserting that both have distinct yet essential roles in the nation’s education system.

"There is no need to pit community and private schools against each other. The government’s responsibility is to enhance community schools and provide free education, while also ensuring the private sector thrives," he stated.

Minister Lekhak also pointed out the need for reforms across all sectors, emphasizing discipline within private institutions and the necessity for government monitoring and evaluation. "While improvements are needed, destroying the private education sector is not the solution," he remarked.

Highlighting the contributions of private and residential schools in enhancing education quality, he noted that Nepal's human resources are now better equipped to compete internationally. He further reiterated the government's priority on policy and legal reforms to strengthen the education system.

Former Chief Minister of Sudurpaschim Province, Rajendra Singh Rawal, also spoke at the event, emphasizing that private schools have played a crucial role in preventing the outflow of students and financial resources from the country.