KATHMANDU, April 1: The newly elected executive committee of the Private and Residential Schools Organization Nepal (PABSON) emphasized keeping currently operating private schools within companies. The 16th National General Assembly of PABSON, held in Kathmandu on March 10 and 11, elected Krishna Prasad Adhikari as the new chairman.
Chairman Adhikari presented his three-year educational reform policies and programs during an event on Monday. He stated that in the next three years, he would advocate for ensuring that private schools operating as companies remain within companies through provisions in the School Education Bill.
Chairman Adhikari said, "Our three-year policy and program focus on ensuring that private schools remain within companies and creating an investment-friendly environment during the ongoing discussions in Parliament regarding the security of investment in private schools. We will also work to involve teachers, educators, and staff in private schools in the government-operated social security fund to ensure their welfare and benefits."
Chairman Adhikari also announced that the policy and program would include students who have studied on scholarships in private schools in government-sponsored higher education scholarships.
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PABSON has committed to enhancing the educational quality provided by private schools, ensuring it remains relevant and competitive both nationally and internationally. To achieve this, the organization will collaborate with governments at all levels, promote innovation in education, and carry out initiatives to make school education accessible to all children. PABSON has also outlined a thirteen-point policy and program to guide these efforts.
"Currently, 2,370 private schools participate in the social security fund," said Chairman Adhikari. "For private schools to retain teachers and staff, it is crucial for them to be part of the social security fund."
He added, "During my three-year tenure, I will actively encourage all private schools to join the social security fund."
PABSON's Senior Vice President, Deepika Rimala Thapa, raised concerns about the issues in various scholarship programs and emphasized the need for PABSON to take action to ensure these programs reach the targeted groups and individuals.
"On March 27, 2024, the Supreme Court issued a directive regarding the 45 percent reserved scholarships for higher education. Coordinating with the relevant authorities to implement this directive will be a priority for our executive committee," said Senior Vice President Thapa. "Currently, students studying in private institutions are being excluded from the scholarships provided by the state."
He stated that the state has created an unfair distinction between private and government school students. "PABSON emphasizes implementing the Supreme Court's order. So far, private schools have provided scholarships to two lakh targeted students," she said.
Outgoing President of PABSON, DK Dhungana, stressed that the state must guarantee the protection of the Rs 6 billion investment in private schools. He committed that the PABSON executive committee would collaborate with relevant government and private bodies to reduce the current trend of students migrating abroad for higher education and work towards a policy that encourages studying within the country.
"Given the recent decline in reading culture, we will organize special programs to encourage a focus on reading culture," Dhungana said. "PABSON will work on establishing and adhering to quality assurance standards for private schools."
