The National Private and Boarding Schools' Association Nepal (National PABSAN) presented a formal written statement to President Ramchandra Paudel at Shital Niwas today, requesting a review and amendment of several key provisions within the proposed School Education Bill.
During the meeting, National PABSAN officials highlighted that provisions related to scholarships, pre-primary education, the social security fund, and institutional schools registered as companies are impractical and require reconsideration.
National PABSAN argued that implementing the requirement of providing full scholarships would force schools to raise fees, creating an additional financial burden on working-class parents and potentially compelling middle-income families to withdraw their children from schools. The organization also opposed the clause limiting pre-primary education to two years, stating it goes against international practices, and insisted it should be extended to three years.
Similarly, the National PABSAN also recommended that participation in the Social Security Fund for all schools should be made voluntary, stating that the mandatory provision is impractical. Additional demands put forth by National PABSAN included ensuring the continued operation of schools registered under company law, level-wise approval for schools, maintaining the existing 60:40 ratio for teacher salaries and allowances, and implementing scholarship distribution in a manner that does not directly impact tuition fees.
In addition, the organization emphasized the need to introduce subjects such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the school level to position Nepal as an emerging educational hub.
Prior to meeting the President, National PABSAN officials had also held discussions with ministers Raghuji Pant and Sharad Singh Bhandari, submitting written suggestions on the Bill and Social Security Fund provisions. They informed the President that the ministers had expressed positive commitments regarding the concerns raised.
On the occasion, National PABSAN reiterated its stance that schools should be recognized as zones of peace, that it does not support strikes or shutdowns, and expressed hope that the long-awaited School Education Act would become a historic milestone for students, parents, investors, and the overall education sector.
The delegation included National PABSAN President Gita Chhetri Rana, former President Pandav Hamal, Vice-President Tilak Chauhan, former General Secretary Parasmani Dahal, Deputy General Secretary Krishna Paudel, and Kathmandu District member Bijay Nyaupane.
