Kathmandu: Though the government has allocated nearly 17 per cent — Rs 63 billion — of the total budget for the education sector in the new fiscal, the largest share among sector-wise allocations, it has failed to identify a number of educational issues.

The School Sector Reform Programme — that is to bring structural changes in school education — was introduced two years ago, but the budget has said little about it, except infrastructure development in schools and legal arrangements.

Appointing female teachers in the vacant posts is a novel scheme' however, the budget has not talked about vacancy announcement through teachers' service commission. The budget lacks clear plans and programmes to improve the SLC pass percentage rate, which is in downward trend. It has also not addressed the situation where, according to data, 85 per cent of 100 students enrolled in grade 1 never reach grade 10. The budget has devised no plans to reduce fail rates in English, Maths and Science in SLC exams, said educationist Kedar Bhakta Mathema.

Talent Search Programme to identify talents in schools and Pilot Education Village under the concept of public-private partnership are new thrusts. Polytechnic institutes in six districts and regional medical colleges are populist programmes in the budget as they were brought without any preparations, said Mathema. Former member of the National Planning Commission, Tirtha Raj Khaniya, finds nothing encouraging in the budget for the education sector. It has not carried on ‘School for Employment’ programme.

Though the budget has plans to bring Open University programmes, no reform programmes for Tribhuvan University have been mentioned. Establishing 240 higher secondary schools with science faculty in each constituency, as pledged last year, is nowhere mentioned. "If there had been some concrete plans, it would have at least led the education sector to progress," added Mathema. The budget has failed to address the establishment of National Examination Board and teachers appointment.

New programmes

• Free education to Dalits and girls up to grade 12

• Free textbooks to targeted students up to grade 12

• Pilot Education Village and Talent Search Programme

• Regional medical colleges affiliated to TU

• Six new polytechnic institutes in six districts

• 12,000 women motivators in each ward for literacy campaign

source:PANGENI,RUDRA (2011),"Budget scores way below an 'A' in education ", The Himalayan Times,17 July 2011