Top 10 Education Initiatives in Nepal

HISILA BHANDARI

Tue, 20 May 2025

Nepal’s education system has undergone remarkable transformations over the past few decades. With increasing awareness about the role of education in national development, Nepal has implemented a variety of policies and projects that address both longstanding challenges and emerging needs. These initiatives span across all levels of education—from early childhood to higher education and vocational training—targeting issues such as access, equity, quality, and employability. Below are ten of the most impactful policies and projects that have played a pivotal role in shaping the country's education sector in recent years.

1. School Sector Development Plan (SSDP): Launched in 2016, the School Sector Development Plan (SSDP) is one of Nepal’s most comprehensive and ambitious education reform strategies. It followed the School Sector Reform Program (SSRP) and aimed to improve equity, access, and quality in school education from early childhood through Grade 12. The SSDP places a strong emphasis on inclusive education, child-friendly schools, teacher professional development, and the integration of ICT in classrooms. Funded and supported by international development partners such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, UNICEF, and UNESCO, SSDP aligns with Nepal’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-4). Over its seven-year span, SSDP contributed significantly to increasing school enrollment rates, enhancing learning environments, expanding early childhood education programs, and institutionalizing community participation in school management.

2. Free and Compulsory Education Act (2018): A landmark legislation in Nepal’s educational history, the Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2018, operationalized the constitutional right of every child to receive free education up to the secondary level. The Act mandates that all children between the ages of 5 and 12 must be enrolled in school and stipulates penalties for guardians who neglect this duty. It also requires government schools to provide free textbooks, no tuition fees, scholarships for disadvantaged groups, and free education up to Grade 12. This policy has been a powerful tool in expanding access to education, especially in marginalized and rural communities. Additionally, it legally binds local governments to ensure that no child is left behind, thereby reinforcing the importance of localized governance in education delivery.

3. Expansion of Technical and Vocational Education through CTEVT: The Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) has been instrumental in equipping Nepal’s youth with employable skills. Established in 1989, CTEVT has expanded significantly in the past two decades and now manages hundreds of technical schools and affiliated institutes offering diploma and short-term vocational training in health sciences, engineering, agriculture, hospitality, and more. With a growing demand for skilled labor both domestically and internationally, the government has prioritized technical education to reduce youth unemployment and the mismatch between education and job market needs. CTEVT has also collaborated with foreign employment agencies and private sector organizations to design job-relevant training programs, thus supporting youth entrepreneurship and labor mobility.

4. E-Pustakalaya (Open Learning Exchange Nepal): One of the most impactful digital education initiatives in Nepal is the E-Pustakalaya, an open-source digital library launched by OLE Nepal. This platform offers free access to thousands of e-books, learning modules, videos, interactive exercises, and reference materials in both English and Nepali. Designed to support both teachers and students, particularly in under-resourced schools, E-Pustakalaya has helped bridge the digital divide by providing content even in offline mode through local servers. The platform gained significant traction during the COVID-19 pandemic, when traditional schooling was disrupted and online learning became essential. Today, it continues to support blended learning models and promote digital literacy across rural and urban areas alike.

5. Mid-Day Meal Program: Nutrition and education are closely linked, especially in early childhood and primary education. Recognizing this, the Government of Nepal, in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) and local municipalities, has been implementing the Mid-Day Meal Program in public schools. The program provides daily nutritious meals or snacks to students, primarily in economically disadvantaged and food-insecure areas. It serves multiple goals: increasing school enrollment and attendance, reducing short-term hunger, improving students' concentration and academic performance, and encouraging gender parity. The program also promotes local food procurement and community involvement, benefiting local farmers and women’s cooperatives who are often involved in preparing meals.

6. COVID-19 Education Cluster Response Plan (2020–2021): The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to the global education system, and Nepal was no exception. To mitigate the impact of school closures, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MoEST) initiated the Education Cluster Response Plan in collaboration with UNICEF, UNESCO, Save the Children, and other partners. The strategy involved deploying alternative modes of education such as radio lessons, televised classes, online platforms, mobile apps, and printed learning packets for students without internet access. This swift pivot helped millions of students continue their education and kept the issue of learning continuity at the forefront of national dialogue. It also led to the accelerated development of guidelines for digital education and highlighted the importance of future-ready education systems.

7. One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) Program: Although its scale was limited, the One Laptop Per Child initiative has had a pioneering impact on digital education in Nepal. Introduced by OLE Nepal and supported by the Ministry of Education, the project distributed durable, low-cost, and solar-powered laptops to students in remote schools. The program was especially valuable in areas without reliable electricity or internet access. Beyond merely providing devices, the initiative trained teachers in digital pedagogy and introduced interactive educational content. By fostering self-learning and ICT skills among students from an early age, the OLPC program has contributed to building a digitally literate generation and demonstrated the potential of low-cost tech solutions in education.

8. Safe School Policy (2016): Following the devastating earthquakes in 2015, Nepal recognized the critical need for disaster-resilient educational infrastructure. The Safe School Policy was developed to guide the reconstruction of schools and ensure the safety of students and teachers. The policy promotes building earthquake-resistant classrooms, creating school disaster management plans, and conducting regular safety drills. It also includes psychological support services for trauma-affected students. The policy has been crucial in rebuilding trust in the public school system and ensuring that learning can continue safely during emergencies. As climate-related disasters become more frequent, this policy remains vital in strengthening resilience in the education sector.

9. Education Management Information System (EMIS) Modernization: The modernization of Nepal’s EMIS is a behind-the-scenes but highly impactful reform. It collects and manages data related to student enrollment, teacher deployment, school facilities, and learning outcomes. This system has helped the government and development partners make informed decisions by providing accurate, real-time data on education indicators. Recent efforts have focused on making the EMIS more inclusive, with features to track students from marginalized communities, monitor gender disparities, and improve transparency in budget allocation and performance evaluation. The improved EMIS is now integral to policy planning, school monitoring, and ensuring accountability across all administrative levels.

10. Decentralization of Education Governance: Nepal’s 2015 Constitution ushered in a federal system that restructured education governance, transferring significant responsibilities to provincial and local governments. Local units are now responsible for managing school budgets, hiring teachers, developing local curricula, and overseeing infrastructure development. This decentralization has brought decision-making closer to communities, allowing more contextually appropriate and responsive education services. However, it has also introduced challenges such as capacity gaps and coordination issues. Despite these, the move has empowered local authorities and encouraged community participation in school management, contributing to a more accountable and transparent education system.