In Fiscal Year 2065/66 BS, the government set an ambitious target to eradicate illiteracy within two years through the National Literacy Campaign. Along with the announcement, a budget of approximately Rs 1.4 billion was estimated for the initiative. Billions of rupees has since been spent to make this campaign a success. The campaign specifically targeted individuals between the ages of 15 and 65, aiming to impart them with basic reading and writing skills. Despite allocating more than Rs 11.88 billion in the past 16 years, illiteracy remains a persistent issue, causing embarrassment for the government. Virtually every economic policy and government program mentions the vision of a literate Nepal. The education sector receives a significant portion of the national budget, second only to health. Yet the question remains: why is Nepal still not fully literate?
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Nepal spends nearly a billion rupees annually on literacy initiatives. But the progress has been dismal. A key reason for this situation is the lack of accountability. In Nepal, those who fail to fulfill their responsibilities face no consequences. Without penalties for underperformance, there is little motivation to meet targets. This absence of accountability has transformed the "Literate Nepal" campaign into an endless process rather than a realized goal. The deadlines keep getting deferred and those responsible to execute the programs face no consequences. This failure to hold people accountable for mismanaging the education budget has contributed to the lack of progress. If this situation continues, it is highly likely that Nepal will remain off the list of literate nations for a long time.
The heart of the problem lies in the bureaucracy. While government officials report achievements on paper, the reality is much different. These reports are used to justify budget releases, but in practice, the results fall short. Bureaucrats have little reason to care about the actual impacts of the programs on literacy, and the intended beneficiaries remain unaware of the importance of accountability. This allows the bureaucracy to continue exploiting the system without fear of repercussions. This situation highlights the urgent need to make those in power accountable. As we just celebrated ‘International Literacy Day 2024,' it is essential to reflect on the lessons learned. Holding those in power accountable for their failures may be one of the key steps to preventing future setbacks and ensuring that the story of failure does not repeat itself.
