A policy paper under discussion at the Ministry of Education has proposed that general and technical education should be the two pillars of country’s education system.

A review of the Technical Education and Vocational Training Policy 2007 has proposed that technical education should be given priority by keeping abreast of global economic development so that skilled work force are produced.

The proposed policy has also recommended that a technical SLC be recognised in the general education system and that anyone wanting to switch the stream should be given the freedom to do so. A technical or general graduate must be given the leeway to choose whatever s/he likes. As per the existing policy, a technical graduate is not allowed to pursue higher education in the general education system.

Technical education in school level demands extra resources, therefore the policy has floated a concept of a ‘TEVT Fund’ at the central level to finance technical education, which is imparted from various government agencies. However, some donors have also been carrying out programmes separately.

Education Policy Committee Under-secretary Nakul Baniya told this daily that the policy aims at maintaining the pace with global economic development by generating more skilled work force. Sending thousands of the skilled work force abroad for work can bring in more remittance. According to national statistics, 69 per cent Nepalis who are abroad for overseas employments are non-skilled and 28 per cent are semi-skilled.

source: The Himalayan Times, 4 Feb 2012