Banking News – Minister for Education, Science and Sports Sasmita Pokharel has pledged that children affected by the removal of squatter settlements in the Kathmandu Valley will continue to receive uninterrupted access to education.

Responding to questions from lawmakers in the National Assembly on Friday, Minister Pokharel said the government has taken necessary measures to ensure that students displaced by the evictions do not face disruptions in their studies by transferring them to nearby schools.

According to the minister, 116 students from Shree Buddha Jyoti Bal Udyan Basic School in Balaju have been transferred to Tarun Secondary School, while 154 students from Shree Bal Kalyan Secondary School have been relocated to Nepal Yuwak Secondary School in Paknajol.

He further stated that 10 children staying at the Radha Swami Satsang Centre in Kirtipur have been enrolled in schools with full residential scholarships, with support from PABSON Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

Minister Pokharel also said that 59 children residing at the Kharipati, Bode, and Ichangu Holding Centres have been admitted to schools of their choice. To support their education, the government has arranged transportation services, snacks, lunch boxes, school uniforms, bags, stationery, water bottles, hygiene kits, and sports equipment.

The minister added that he had inspected the Kharipati and Bode Holding Centres on Asar 29 and directed officials to make additional arrangements to address the needs of the affected children.

Responding to another question, Minister Pokharel said the previous nomination system in universities and educational institutions had been abolished to strengthen good governance and a merit-based appointment process. He noted that vice-chancellors have already been appointed to nine universities, while the appointment of the chairperson of the Tribhuvan University Service Commission and other senior officials has also been completed. Recruitment for the remaining vacant positions is currently underway.

He further informed the National Assembly that all universities have been instructed to prepare and effectively implement annual academic calendars to improve the quality and predictability of higher education.

The questions were raised by National Assembly members Madan Kumari Shah (Garima) and Bhuwan Bahadur Sunar.