Government introduces new policy for technical colleges

The government has introduced a new policy on establishment and operation of private technical colleges for higher education.

As per the newly announced policy, a private technical college established with local investment will have to provide scholarships to 10 percent students while those with foreign investment will have to provide freeships to 20 percent students.

Speaking at a press meet in the capital on Monday, spokesperson at the Ministry of Education and Sports, Lava Prasad Tripathi, said that with the introduction of the new policy, the ministry has already begun inspecting private colleges.

As per the new policy, the private medical and dental colleges will have to reserve 20 percent beds for poor and underprivileged groups, of which half should be given free treatment and bed fee for the other half should not be charged.

The policy also addresses the issues of private technical campuses teaching medical science subjects including: nursing, medical education and pharmacy, engineering, agriculture and forest, science and technology, accounting and management and other subjects as decided by the Education Ministry.

The government has also formed a monitoring committee under the coordination of Education Minister with an aim of promoting higher technical education in the country.

Tripathi further said that various educational bills including the Lumbini Bouddha University Act has been passed while a bill to amend some educational and sports related acts is in the House for discussion.

The education ministry also informed that it would provide funds to pay 5,800 more teachers this year. nepalnews.com pb Oct 10 06