Expanding the provisions in the Interim Constitution 2007, which had guaranteed free education till the primary level, the new constitution pledges free and compulsory education up to grade eight. In addition, education up to grade 12 has been guaranteed as fundamental rights of the citizens for the first time.Article 31 of the constitution ensures education as a fundamental right, making it free for millions of citizens while also making the government more responsible toward educating its people. The constitution has provisioned that the people living with disability should have free education at all levels.
The constitution also directs the government to formulate supporting laws to deliver the provisions effectively.
Likewise, the visually-impaired students have the right to receive Braille textbooks at all level of education. There are similar provisions for students with other types of disabilities.
The constitution also ensures right to education in native language, which will go a long way in preserving the country's linguistic diversity. It also allows for establishing schools and colleges that provide education entirely in ethnic languages.
But to be able to fulfill the constitutional pledge of free education, the government will have to strengthen public schools, which needs huge investment and significant overhauls.
At a time when government institutions are being accused of poor performance, a huge investment is required to ensure that the free education meets the acceptable standards, say experts.
"If quality education does not figure as the topmost priority at government schools and colleges, the gap between rich and poor will remain," says Educationist Kedar Bhakta Mathema.
The government faces several challenges in its efforts to bring uniformity in education.
Little has been done to address the fundamental right of education in ethnic languages. The most challenging part in the fulfillment of this pledge is lack of teachers.
The Ministry of Education has prepared a draft that lays out the powers and responsibilities of the central, provincial and local bodies for operating the academic system in a federal Nepal.
While provinces are free to pass their own laws and implement programs based on their specific needs, they will have to do so within the boundaries of national policy formulated by the center. However, views of the provincial stakeholders would be incorporated while formulating the national policy.
Still, the authorities will have to grapple with host of issues in future.
"There are thorny issues such as management of teachers as the country goes federal," says Joint Secretary of the Education Ministry Hari Lamsal. "Should the teachers be sent to the provinces they hail from or allowed to continue to work in their current places?" he asked.
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