Merging Community Campuses for a Stronger Future

The Chief Minister of Bagmati Province, Shalikram Jamkattel, emphasized the need to merge community campuses within the province. Speaking at the National Educational Conference on "Challenges in Higher Education: Employment, Stability, and Minimization of Dropouts," he highlighted the challenges and struggles faced by these campuses.

The Importance of Community Campuses

Community campuses have played a significant role in providing higher education, especially in rural areas. However, with the current trend of students gravitating towards cities and foreign countries, these campuses are experiencing a decline in student enrollment. This decline not only affects the quality of education but also creates financial difficulties, particularly in paying teachers' salaries.

Adapting to Changing Times

Chief Minister Jamkattel underscored the need for community campuses to adapt and strengthen in response to changing times. He proposed that technical education should be integrated from class 9 to 12, in collaboration with local authorities, to meet the demands of the current job market. He identified nursing and engineering education as critical areas that need immediate attention.

Shift Towards Practical Education

"Education has become purely theoretical; now there is a need for practical, technical, and life-useful education," stated Chief Minister Jamkattel. He highlighted the urgent need for an education system that offers practical solutions, reducing the number of unemployed graduates and curbing the trend of students seeking opportunities abroad.

Reforming Curriculum and Examination Systems

Chief Minister Jamkattel also called for significant reforms in the curriculum and examination systems. He criticized the outdated curriculum and stressed that exams should be merit-based. He referred to the quota system in technical education as a barrier and urged the government to eliminate it to ensure fair and equal access.

Establishing New Educational Institutions

Former Chief Minister Dormani Paudel proposed the establishment of a new university offering innovative subjects to retain students within the country. He emphasized the importance of focusing on education to prevent the youth from seeking education and employment abroad.

Support from Educational Leaders

The conference saw participation from key figures such as Minister of Social Development Kumari Muktan, Minister of Water, Energy and Irrigation Ekalal Shrestha, and Vice-Chancellor of Midwestern University Prof. Dr. Dhruv Kumar Gautam. Expert Advisor of University Grants Commission Prof. Dr. Hridayratna Bajracharya and Vice-Chancellor of Madan Bhandari Institute of Health Sciences Prof. Dr. Vishwaraj Joshi also attended, emphasizing the need for improvements in the educational sector.

Commitment to Educational Improvement

The program, chaired by Anant Prasad Paudel, chairman of the Makwanpur Multiple Campus Management Committee, reiterated the collective commitment to enhancing the education system. The focus was on practical measures to improve education, ensuring it meets the needs of students and the job market effectively.

This comprehensive approach to merging community campuses and reforming the education system is seen as a vital step towards creating a stable and prosperous future for students and the nation.