School Holidays Reduced; Prayer and Snack Break Times Also Fixed

Kathmandu: Following the government’s decision to introduce two public holidays each week on Saturdays and Sundays, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has established a new timetable for schools.

The Education and Human Resource Development Center under the ministry has directed educational institutions to adjust and implement teaching schedules in accordance with the working hours specified in the approved curriculum. The Cabinet meeting held on Chaitra 22 had decided to provide schools with a two-day weekly holiday starting from the academic session 2083.

To implement this decision, the ministry has instructed schools to prepare new work schedules. The circular has been sent to Education Development and Coordination Units, all local governments, and schools.

According to the circular, schools must now allocate 15 minutes each day for prayer sessions and 30 minutes for snack breaks in order to make teaching and learning more effective.

Similarly, from Monday to Friday, schools are required to conduct full-time teaching and learning-related activities. The duration of winter and monsoon vacations has been reduced from the previous 45 days to 30 days.

The final 12 days of the academic session must be utilized for final examinations and publication of results.

Based on the approved curriculum and specified learning outcomes, schools will also be required to manage learning activities through weekly project-based and practical assignments every Friday. These activities will focus on community and family engagement, contextual learning materials, and the use of information technology, while also providing opportunities for presentations as needed.

The center stated that schools can also seek support from the “Project and Practical Work Facilitation Handbook, 2082” available on the Curriculum Development Center’s website for conducting project and practical work activities.