Three major political parties have proposed free and compulsory school education in their election manifesto for the upcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) election scheduled for November 19.

The UCPN (Maoist), the CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress have floated an identical agenda of education: increasing education investment to 20 percent of the total national budget and prioritising technical and quality education with special privilege to the students from marginalised community.

In its manifesto unveiled on Saturday, the UCPN (M) has assured to establish education as a fundamental right of an individual and free education up to Grade 12. It has also proposed to ensure compulsory basic education (till Grade 8) and all level of education free for students from poor community and those from Karnali. “There will be a special scholarship, hostel and loan facilities to increase access to higher education for students from marginalised community,” reads the manifesto. The Maoists have vowed to set up at least one university in each federal state and start technical along with vocational education from grade eight.

Similarly, the UML too has proposed free school-level education and increase Early Childhood Development classes both in quantity and quality. It has also floated the idea of ending dual education in the country by enhancing the quality of public academic institutions. “The public education will be strengthened by ending the existing two types of education in the country,” reads the UML manifesto to be made public in a couple days. The UML has also proposed to introduce grading system for the academic evaluation.

In a clear posture of one-upmanship, the Congress has come up with an idea of compulsory and accessible education up to grade 12. The yet to be unveiled manifesto has proposed not to issue party membership for the students till grade 12 and intervene to minimise unwanted politics in the education sector. “Open University will be established to ensure the higher education for those who failed to make formal education due to various constraints,” reads the NC manifesto.

Though parties have given high priority to the education and made several commitments to improve the academic sector, looking into their past records education experts doubt they will fulfill their commitments. “The parties had made similar commitments during the first CA election in 2008 but never took concrete steps to implement them while they were in the government,” said Bishnu Karki, an education expert.

UCPN (MAOIST), NC, UML Common agendas
> Free school level education (up to grade 12) and compulsory basic education (up to grade eight)
> Guarantee education to poor, Dalit, female,  disabled and other marginalised children
> Promote technical and quality education at the school level
> Increase investment in education to 20 percent of the national budget
> Promote government schools, colleges and regulate private institutions

source: the kathmanu post,21 Oct 2013