Stakeholders’ consultation meeting is a program that assembles corresponding stakeholders including policymakers, intellectuals, social activists, entrepreneurs, and civil society members to gather surplus insights and information on certain policy research papers. Bikalpa an Alternative organizes such stakeholders’ meetings regularly to gather further insights on its ongoing research areas. Consequently, after conducting a study on ” Examining the school educational landscape: A critical analysis of non-profit private school”, 24 stakeholders were identified and invited to the stakeholders meeting from distinguished sectors.
The meeting was organized in the special presence of Mr. Nagesh Koirala, Mayor of Biratnagar, and Mrs.Shilpa Nirala Karki, Deputy Mayor of Biratnagar. The first draft of the research paper received valuable inputs and insights from representatives from various government and non-government sectors like the Ministry of Social Development, Education Department of Biratnagar Metropolis, National Examination Board, District Education Office, Public Schools, Private schools, Trust School, PABSON, and NPABSON. The event was held at Biratnagar Metropolis meeting hall on 3rd July 2023.
The program was facilitated by Mr. Sabin Ghimire followed by a presentation on the findings of the research by Shristika Neupane, researcher at Bikalpa.Following the presentation, the floor was opened for discussion.
Mr. Tanka Neupane, the vice principal of Mills Higher Secondary School, emphasized the lack of training regarding the changed curriculum. He believed that teachers should be trained not only in the national curriculum but also in the local curriculum to better understand its goals. Furthermore, he pointed out the complexity of the current paper checking system, which is used for internal evaluation and final exams, and highlighted that many teachers still struggle to comprehend it.
Mr.Arjun Shrestha, vice-president of PABSON, Biratnagar emphasized the need for comprehensive teacher training that includes public, private, and other types of schools. He suggested that practical education and skills development should be integrated into the curriculum to address the issue of brain drain and retain students within the country. He also envisoned Biratnagar becoming an educational hub by improving the overall education system and attracting students from other regions.
Similarly, Mr. Rohit Thapaliya, director of St. Joseph School appreciated the research conducted and stressed the importance of improving the education system rather than viewing it as a competition between private and public schools. He proposed that private schools should also offer vocational training to enhance productive learning. He also acknowledged the significance of external examinations but highlighted the need for well-practiced internal evaluation to ensure quality education. He mentioned the positive influence of private schools in higher positions of the country and emphasized the economic contribution made by the private education sector.
Following this, Mrs Kabita Neupane, representing a trust-based school, expressed concerns about the lack of support for trusts in terms of teaching resources and modern technology. Despite charging minimal fees, the school is unable to provide education on par with private schools. She raised the issue that private schools converted into trusts might face similar challenges if adequate support is not provided by the metropolitan and local authorities.
Like wise, Mr. Purosottam Guragain, Principal of Satyanarayan School noted the absence of a discussion on the best model to improve the quality of education in Biratnagar and expressed concerns about the syllabus being a mere carbon copy of foreign writers, particularly in higher levels.
After that, Mr Besh Prasad Dhamala, Chairman of Bikalpa an Alternative, emphasized the need for a national education policy and emphasized the respective roles of private and public schools. He pointed out the low investment in education in comparison to other countries like India and highlighted the importance of teacher training, question competency, and fair copy checking. He also expressed concerns about the shrinking syllabus and the politicization of education.
At the end of the discussion, Mr Nagesh Koirala, Mayor of Biratnagar Metropolitan City, emphasized the importance of harmonizing teaching and administration to upgrade the quality of schools. He advocated for a shift from theoretical to practical education, including extracurricular activities, to provide students with a holistic learning experience. He also highlighted the significant impact of teacher salaries on the quality of education in public schools and stressed the need for well-educated teachers who are passionate about teaching.
