Decision to Close Entrance and Bridge Courses Limited to Plus Two, Only Upper-Level Courses to Be Regulated
Image Source: RSS
A discrepancy has arisen after differing statements from the Ministry of Education and the Education Minister regarding the closure of preparatory classes related to higher education starting from the upcoming Baishakh. According to the ministry’s secretary, the government will only close such classes up to Grade 12.
According to a statement released by the ministry’s spokesperson Shivkumar Sapkota on Sunday, “A ministerial decision has been made to completely shut down entrance exam preparatory classes and bridge courses across various school and higher education levels starting from Baishakh 1st.”
However, shortly thereafter, Education Minister and government spokesperson Sasmita Pokharel issued a notice on Facebook clarifying that the decision pertains only to the closure of some additional preparatory classes targeting students up to Grade 12. This created ambiguity for some regarding the status of higher education preparatory classes.
“The line written by the minister yesterday evening on social media is clear,” ministry secretary Chudamani Paudel said. “Preparatory classes will be fully closed up to Grade 12, while classes above this level will only be regulated, not closed.”
Notice Removed from Website
Image Source: Ministry of Education, Science & Technology
The statement issued by the spokesperson on Sunday through social media and official communication channels has since been removed by the ministry, indicating that further clarification on the matter is expected.
The statement noted that such preparatory programs might “negatively impact students’ psychological and educational accessibility and add unnecessary financial burdens,” which motivated the decision to close them. It also mentioned that the relevant District Administration Offices were requested to take legal action against operators running these programs.
Following the removal of the notice, Secretary Paudel remarked, “It has caused some confusion. We will clarify this soon.”
After the government issued a notice to strictly regulate all categories of preparatory classes and bridge courses, the decision was welcomed by some on social media. However, as Minister Pokharel clarified that the decision targets students only up to Grade 12, questions arose about the differing information from the ministry and the minister.
Ambiguity
Education expert Dhananjay Sharma commented that while it appears the ministry decided to close all preparatory classes, limiting it to only Plus Two is not very meaningful.
“If all preparatory classes were closed, it would have helped to curb the commercialization of education and been more effective. But since only classes up to Plus Two are affected, the impact seems minimal,” he said.
Higher education preparatory classes include subjects like medical and engineering, which are popular in Kathmandu and other cities. There are also bridge courses running specifically for Plus Two students.
Sharma noted that the ministry’s communication was relatively clear and considered it appropriate.
“Receiving quality education is the right of students and ensuring this is essential. In the long term, this decision could be effective,” he added.
“Pressure may have been applied on policymakers, and suggestions from various stakeholders might have influenced this outcome,” Sharma further added.
Meanwhile, some institutions operating preparatory classes have reacted that Minister Pokharel’s Facebook notice is clear.
“Minister Pokharel’s notice is clear, but the ministry has stated further clarification will be provided, after which we can respond appropriately,” said Suresh Sharma, director of ‘NAME’, a medical entrance preparatory class in Kathmandu.
Only Regulation for Higher-Level Preparatory Classes
Ministry Secretary Paudel stated that only regulation will be applied to preparatory programs at higher levels.
“Since regulations covering programs above Plus Two are not yet established, preparations are underway to regulate these,” he said. “Higher education preparatory classes will be regulated, while classes below this level will be completely closed.”
However, scholar Sharma analyzed that commercialization of such classes is less at the Plus Two level.
“Classes up to Plus Two fall under the school level. Even if the government makes a decision, it does not have a significant impact at that level,” he remarked.
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