Time to introduce charter schools in Nepal?

Nepal's public education system has long been plagued by political instability and poor governance, a situation documented in various research papers. In response, recent directives from the Minister of Education and Sports, Sasmit Pokharel, aim to alter the course. The current government, bolstered by a significant mandate, is undertaking a revision of the school-level National Curriculum Framework (NCF) through a task force led by the Dean of Kathmandu University’s School of Education.

Minister Pokharel emphasized that the goal is systemic transformation rather than cosmetic change, stating, "The goal is not cosmetic change but systemic transformation…and the new NCF must be relevant, responsive and rigorous." However, past studies, such as a report by the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre, highlight a persistent disconnect between policies and practice in Nepal's education sector. This gap is attributed to a culture of corruption, fragile monitoring systems, improper teacher management, and a general lack of trust.

Given these challenges, the article suggests it might be time to introduce innovative school structures and governance models, such as charter schools. These schools operate under a contract between the government and a committee of stakeholders, receiving government funding while maintaining a degree of autonomy. The first charter school originated in Minnesota, USA, in 1991, and similar public-private models have since been adopted in countries like the UK, Canada, Sweden, Japan, Pakistan, and Qatar.

Historically, Nepal's education system has seen shifts between community management and centralized control. In the early to mid-20th century, local communities established and managed most public schools. However, a 1957 directive mandating Nepali as the sole medium of instruction sparked widespread protests. Later, the Panchayat government (1960–1990) centralized the education system, enforcing a uniform structure and language across the diverse nation. The article implies that current reform efforts, while well-intentioned, may need to consider radical restructuring, potentially including models like charter schools, to overcome deeply entrenched systemic issues.

“

The goal is not cosmetic change but systemic transformation…and the new NCF must be relevant, responsive and rigorous.