Nepal has for many years been celebrating the achievements of soaring school enrolment, better access to education, and the burgeoning participation of pupils in the Secondary Education Examination (SEE). These milestones are worthy of praise. However, the 2023 National Assessment of Student Achievement (NASA), which was recently published, reveals a sobering reality: although more children are going to school, a large number of them are leaving school without the necessary knowledge and skills for further education, employment, and life. The assessment presents a grim picture of the education scenario in Nepal. It reveals that mathematics is the least engaging subject for students, as close to 60 percent of Grade 10 students did not even manage to demonstrate the minimum expected level of competency. Large proportions of students were also found to be performing below the required level in science, Nepali, and English. Such findings indicate that learning, rather than enrolment, has become the biggest educational challenge for Nepal. Moreover, the consequences are not limited to paper-and-pencil results. Nowadays, employers are not only looking for the qualifications listed on a résumé; they want the people they hire to be able to think analytically, communicate effectively, solve problems creatively, and be digitally literate.
E-learning centers in Banepa community schools
It is unfortunate that a large number of Nepali students are falling behind even before their entry into the workforce has properly begun. The report also points out vast disparities in the education system. It observes that pupils from private schools perform better throughout their schooling years than those in community schools, even after several years of the government providing free textbooks, scholarships, school meals, infrastructure development, and teacher training to public schools. Along with buildings and budgets, factors that play a major role in effective education include motivated teachers, an engaging learning environment, regular student assessment, feedback that helps students improve, and up-to-date teaching methods. Based on the assessment, students achieve more when their teachers not only come to school but are also punctual and manage their time well. In addition, they provide feedback that students find useful and regularly use digital tools in their lessons. Regional and social disparities are equally worrying. Students in Karnali and Sudurpashchim continue to lag behind their peers in Bagmati and Gandaki. Rural students are more deprived of learning opportunities than their urban counterparts. Such inequalities perpetuate poverty and deprive thousands of children of the chance to get a fair start in life. Besides, language remains a challenge.
The days when Nepal gauged educational achievement solely by enrolment rates or examination participation are over. Success has to be measured by whether students leave school possessing the skills and knowledge relevant to today's world. Nepal will miss its demographic dividend if the country does not build a strong foundation in mathematics, science, language, critical thinking, and digital skills. The government must go beyond merely endorsing policies by ensuring measurable improvements in classroom instruction, teacher accountability, curriculum reform, digital inclusion, and the equitable distribution of resources. Besides expanding schools, more funds should be allocated to improving learning outcomes. Nepali students are brimming with ability and potential. What they require is an education system that develops their talents and equips them to compete confidently with students from around the world. The government must take prompt and decisive action to raise learning standards so that Nepal's education system is on par with international standards.
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