Education and sports sector given top priority in national budget: Minister Pokharel
Kathmandu: Minister for Education and Sports Sasmit Pokharel has said that the maximum budget has been allocated for the education and sports sector, which remains a priority of the government.
Responding to questions raised under the Appropriation Bill, 2083 in today’s meeting of the National Assembly regarding the Ministry of Education and Sports, Minister Pokharel said that the sector has been prioritized with the highest possible allocation based on available resources.
“Out of the total national budget of Rs. 2124.344 billion for the fiscal year 2083/84, Rs. 218.355 billion has been allocated for the education and sports sector,” Minister Pokharel said. “This accounts for 10.28 percent of the total national budget.”
He informed that although the allocation is 0.47 percent lower in percentage terms compared to the current fiscal year, the budget has increased by seven billion in absolute terms compared to the current fiscal year.
“Although the federal allocation for the education and sports sector in the coming year stands at 10.28 percent, when combined with budgets allocated for school nurses, teaching grant quotas, ICT laboratories and school infrastructure construction from provincial governments, as in previous years, the overall investment in the sector will be significant,” he clarified.
Minister Pokharel said that within the education and sports sector, the largest share has been allocated to school education at 69.49 percent, followed by higher education at 11.04 percent, technical and vocational education and training at 2.56 percent, sports at 1.74 percent and management at 15.17 percent. He added that out of Rs. 151.6971 billion allocated for school education, Rs. 10.4524 million has been set aside for infrastructure construction.
He informed that training for 7,660 people will be provided in the coming year for modern and market-demand-based skill development, and Rs. 350 million has been allocated for conducting the SEE examination at the provincial level.
Out of Rs. 624 million allocated under the School Education Sector Plan at the provincial level, Rs. 276 million has been allocated for physical infrastructure and Rs. 275 million for teacher training, he said.
Minister Pokharel also informed that Rs. 2.37 billion has been allocated for physical infrastructure grants to schools under local governments based on student numbers, excluding 14 earthquake-affected districts and 19 districts affected by the western Nepal earthquake, including Bajhang, Jajarkot and West Rukum, as well as Manang and Mustang.
He said Rs. 1.7 billion has been allocated for the management of smart boards in secondary-level community schools to promote digital learning.
He further informed that the midday meal program for students from early childhood development classes to class 5 in community schools has been continued, with Rs. 25 per day allocated for students in districts of the former Karnali zone and Rs. 20 per day for other districts.
Minister Pokharel said that budget allocation has been made to prioritize research, improve competitiveness in higher education, enhance quality in school education and expand technical education. He added that funds have also been allocated for buildings, libraries, laboratories, ICT and educational materials within available resources.
“In line with the government’s commitment to significant investment in education and health, investment in education will be further increased in the coming year,” he said.
He informed that a task force has been formed to revise the national curriculum framework for school education, which will define subjects and syllabi. “Once implemented, it will improve school education in line with the changing context,” he said.
Minister Pokharel said necessary steps will be taken regarding school mapping, restructuring and potential merging or downgrading of schools with very low student numbers based on geography and other factors, while ensuring that no student is deprived of education.
He said programs such as residential scholarships for children with disabilities, accessible digital textbooks, and integrated and special schools have been continued, and that residential schools for children with intellectual disabilities will be operated in each province.
He informed that Rs. 590 million has been allocated for market-oriented educational programs, entrepreneurship development grants, performance-based grants to higher education institutions and ICT-based educational development programs.
He said universities should become self-reliant by determining their investment patterns rather than relying excessively on the government, while the government will ensure minimum required funding for their operation.
Stating that the net enrollment rate at the basic level is 97.7 percent and the completion rate is 74 percent, he said efforts are being made to bring out-of-school children into education through targeted programs and action plans.
He also said cash awards have been arranged for athletes who win in national competitions and set new records, and that provisions have been made to honor international medal winners under national sports regulations.
Minister Pokharel said reforms are being implemented to strengthen public schools and increase parental trust.
He informed that student admission and result publication will be aligned with the national academic calendar, and plans are underway to introduce world-class courses in higher education.
He also said scholarships have been allocated through the University Grants Commission for MBBS studies for students from Dom, Chamar, Musahar and Badi communities, and that reservation policies include nine percent seats for the Dalit community and 12 percent for the Madhesi community.
Minister Pokharel said the government is providing internet subsidies to community schools, adding that 68.2 percent of schools have ICT infrastructure, 73.9 percent have electricity, and 69.7 percent have broadband internet, stressing the need to further expand digital education.